In a significant decision, the Gujarat High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on loudspeakers at mosques for Azaan, stating that the use of loudspeakers did not contribute to noise pollution. The division bench, led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee, deemed the petition “wholly misconceived” and highlighted the lack of evidence proving that Azaan through loudspeakers exceeded permissible decibel levels.
The PIL was filed by Bajrang Dal leader Shaktisinh Zala, contending that the Azaan’s amplified sound caused noise pollution, impacting people’s health, especially children, and causing inconvenience. However, the court questioned the petitioner during the hearing, drawing parallels with morning aarti at temples, emphasizing that religious practices, including the use of bells and gongs, also generate sound.
The court asserted that Azaan is a longstanding faith and practice lasting for 5–10 minutes and noted that the petitioner failed to provide scientific data on noise pollution in specific areas. The rejection underscored the need for concrete evidence in cases challenging religious practices and emphasized the scientific measurement of noise pollution.
This decision reaffirms the importance of balancing religious freedom and community practices with environmental concerns, setting a precedent for PILs related to religious practices and noise pollution in the future
