When Sonu Nigam made a statement against having to wake up to the azaan every morning, there was a huge uproar, mostly surrounding religion and politics.However, a glimpse into the laws regarding noise pollution would reveal that Sonu has every right to make an official complaint. The reason? In Kerala, religious institutions are considered silent zones under the law, much like educational institutions and hospitals, and the sound levels in these areas shouldn't go above the prescribed limit — 50 decibels. And what is 50 decibels? "The sound level of a normal conversation," says advocate P B Sahasranaman. "Within 100 metres of a silent zone, the noise levels shouldn't exceed 50 decibels. But there is massive flouting of law when it comes to religious institutions. Within silent zones, loudspeakers are allowed, in a hall, for example. But the sound shouldn't go outside its walls."If that is the law, it seems like all of Kerala is flouting it. And as citizens of the country, every Indian has the right to demand that action be taken against lawbreakers. That is exactly what Jacob Neroth of Alappuzha did. "I live just opposite a mosque in Alappuzha and every time a prayer blared out, I would be greatly inconvenienced.. I wrote some 300 odd letters to various police and panchayat officials but absolutely nothing happened. That's when I filed a case which finally reached the Kerala High Court."Jacob's years-long court battle ended with him winning the case. And the mosque authorities finally took down the speakers facing his house. "Yet I don't think anyone was punished for this blatant breaking of the law. That's why such things continue unchecked in our country."While there is a provision in the law that says an exception to this law can be made with a written permission, that is only serving as a loophole, point out Jacob. "Only someone of the rank of a DySP has the right to give permission for a loudspeaker in a religious institution but people either use this as an opportunity to bribe the cops or just use the speakers without permission," he says.Sahasranaman agrees. "There is zero implementation of the rules from the part of the police. There isn't even a board which says 'Silent Zone' around many religious institutions. Even if someone files a case, the police just levy a measly `1000, for a petty case, and the things go back to square one in no time. Instead, they should confiscate the loudspeakers and not let the sound exceed the prescribed level ever again."Sound pollution affects everyone, from the old and the sick to students, and life can become intolerable if they happen to live near a religious institution, Jacob says. "It is an issue which affects thousands in Kerala today, but few dare to stand up and talk, because religion is involved."It's not written anywhere that the quran should be read over speakersNazar Fizi Koodathay, Jameyathul kutubaI will never support the use of loudspeakers in mosques. It will be a disturbance for the people around. There is no rule in our religion which says that the Quran has to be read over speakers. Also, I don't accept the hours-long religious speeches played during the early mornings and late nights! Similarly, if there are five mosques in an area, a committee should be formed and should decide that the azaan should be played only in one of them. The purpose of the Azaan is to let the world know the time so I believe only one mosque in the area is needed. Let it not be an irritation for others and we have been careful about that aspect.Religion should bring inner peace, not increase stress levelsP Rangadas Prabhu, Managing Adhikari, Ernakulam Thirumala DevaswomWe do play bhajans in the temple half an hour in the early morning and evening, but following the rules. We have been very particular about it as we believe anything that done in the name of religion shouldn't disturb anybody else. Religious activities should bring inner peace to humans, not increase the stress levels. Hence, I would say that no matter which religion you belong to, you should follow the rules.I never feel spiritual when devotional songs are played out aloudPriyanandanan, filmmakerI always find it illogical when prayers are blasted through speakers. I believe prayer is all in the mind and it is done better in silence. I never feel spiritual when devotional songs are played out aloud. I wish we always get a platform to air our opinions on anything without communalising it.Let's not communalise the issueJolly Chirayath, artiste and human rights activistThe law says that the sound levels shouldn't go beyond 50 decibels in religious institutions. The government should make sure that everyone follows the rules, regardless of whether they are religious organisations or not. Rules are to be followed by everyone for the better functioning of society and let's not communalise it.They are overdoing thingsSrinda, actorThe sounds of the azaan or the suprabatham have been imprinted in our lives for years but they were never a nuisance. But they are overdoing things now and spoiling the real beauty of it. Human beings differ from other animals in their ability to think and understand. We should naturally realise that any sound will become a noise when it is played beyond a certain level of volume. Religion is for inner peace and it is supposed to give us a meditative feel. It should bring positivity to our lives. Now it is negatively affecting us. Let's not overdo it!

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