Bengaluru: After cracking down on the use of microphones in mosques during the call to prayer, or 'azan,' the Karnataka government has now diverted its focus to temples and churches, as well as the usage of bells.
Under the Noise Pollution Control Rules of the Environment Protection Act 2000, the police has the jurisdiction to issue notices to temples and churches and request them to keep the decibel level under control.
The decibel limitations for industrial, residential, and commercial locations during the day and night are specified in the notice.
A senior police officer stated that all religious and non-religious places have received notices to comply with the directive. The police officer also added that this is done regularly as it is customary.
Around Basavanagudi, Dodda Ganapathi temple, Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Bull Temple, and Karanji Anjaneya temple have received notices.
The notice has advised the temples to adhere to the established decibel limitations for industrial, residential, and commercial sectors during the day and night.
As per the 2010 modified Noise Pollution Control Rules-2000 under the Environment Protection Act 1986, the standard decibel of sound has been notified under several categories of places - industrial, commercial, residential, and silent zones.
As a result, the priests must not exceed the standard decibel level during maha mangalarati, abhisheka, and other ceremonies which involves drums and sound systems.
However, this decision has not gone down well with some Hindu organizations and they have questioned the Karnataka government's decision to reduce noise pollution during Aarti and other poojas in temples.
The police has been directed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to issue notices to temples for violation of noise pollution restrictions under the Environment Protection Act-1986.
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