Loudspeakers on mosques blare 5 times a day to call for prayers (Adhan), causing excessive noise and disturbance in the surrounding areas. This is extremely violent and insult to citizens’ right to privacy and peace. It forces even non-Muslims and children to wake up early in the morning. The noise increases irritation, sickness and hearing problems in sick and old people. In fact, Adhan through loudspeakers is not sanctioned even by Quran. Those who want to go to pray in a mosque are free to use alarm clocks at their homes/offices. Alternatively, mosques can send sms alerts for prayer to those Muslims who register with their respective mosques. One should respect other’s religion – sure. But the other religion has no business forcing itself on people of other faiths -- that would be violating other people’s freedom of religion. The Supreme Court, in its landmark judgement in July and October 2005 had made it clear that religion is not a ground to violate noise rules. Call for prayers through loudspeakers has already been banned by several countries. Of course, noise pollution from other sources should also be banned, whether coming from firecrackers on Diwali or morning bhajans coming from temples or any other source. Please sign this petition so that we citizens put pressure on the government to enforce noise pollution laws across India.

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