A petition seeking the installation of loudspeakers in mosques was denied by the Allahabad High Court. The court said, “The installation of loudspeakers in mosques is not a fundamental right.” 
The judgment was issued on April 4th, 2022, by a division bench comprising Justice Vivek Kumar Birla and Justice Vikas, who stated that the law stipulates that using loudspeakers in mosques is not a constitutional right. 
“The law has now been settled that the use of loudspeakers from mosques is not a fundamental right. Even otherwise a cogent reason has been assigned in the impugned order. Accordingly, we find that the present petition is patently misconceived, hence the same is dismissed,” said the court.
The use of microphone in sacred areas has created debate in a number of regions, including Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently said that the sound from loudspeakers at religious places should not be heard beyond the grounds. Â
According to the CM, microphone can be used in holy locations with permission, but the sound must not escape the premises. He also stated that no new mikes and microphones permits will be issued. Following Yogi Adityanath’s announcement, the volume at the state’s 17,000 religious sites was reduced to the standards set for all religious sites in the state, including temples and mosques. Â
MNS leader Raj Thackeray has been vocal over the use of mikes inside mosques in Maharashtra, urging the state government to intervene. Many MNS employees have recently been imprisoned for singing Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques that use mikes for azan.
A man named Irfan contested the order given by Bisauli Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Badaun district on December 3, 2021, in his plea. The SDM previously denied permission to build a mike for azan at Noori Masjid in Dhoranpur village.
He asked the Court for a directive to the government authorities to allow him to use a mike in the mosque (Noori Masjid). He further claimed that the SDM’s decision was completely illegal and infringed on his fundamental and legal rights to remove loudspeakers from the mosque. Â
Many people have signed petitions opposing the use of mike for religious and celebratory purposes. The use of court orders outside of prescribed hours has been consistent. The most recent order was issued on May 15, 2020, only days before the pandemic began.
The court had also noticed that, while azan was an “essential and integral” aspect of Islam, it may be delivered in “human voice without the use of any amplifier device.” The court was hearing applications asking for permission to broadcast the azan while the country was under lockdown. 
The use of microphones for the same, however, has been strictly prohibited by the court. The District Magistrate or a person designated by the officer must give permission for the use of mikes outside, 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. The Central Pollution Control Board can impose fines if the rule is broken.Â
Azan is the Islamic call to prayer, which is recited five times during the day at specific intervals. A muezzin is someone who announces the call to prayer five times a day at a mosque.
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Published By: Aman Gupta
Edited By: Vanshika Sahu
