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'Silence Zone' Declared Around Religious Places, Courts, Educational Institutions In Guwahati

The directive has come after a heated debate that followed singer Sonu Nigam's tweets regarding the morning azaan.
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GUWAHATI -- The district administration of Kamrup (Metropolitan) has declared 'Silence Zone' here in a radius of 100 metres of hospitals, educational institutions, High Court and other courts besides prominent religious places.

Kamrup (Metropolitan) District Magistrate Dr Angamathu, has declared the 'Silence Zone' in compliance of the directions received from Assam government vide Rule 3 (2) of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The 'Silence Zone' areas are a radius of 100 metres of all government and private hospitals, all government and private educational institutions, Gauhati High Court/District and Sessions judge Court and Chief Judicial Magistrate Court and all prominent religious places including temples, mosques, gurudwaras, churches, monastery, math and namghars.

But according to The Indian Express, the notification does not directly refer to the use of microphones or loudspeakers in places of worship.

The DM's order directed the Member Secretary Pollution Control Board to collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to noise pollution and take measures for its effective prevention, control and abatement under Section 4 (3) of the Noise Pollution (Regulations and Control) Rules 2000 and submit reports on monthly basis.

The Superintending Engineer PWD (Roads) has been asked to take steps to install proper signs in the respective areas with 15 days.

Any person aggrieved with the order is, however at liberty to appear before the DM within 15 days of issue of the order on April 28 for filing of written objection, if any, for redressal and modification of the order.

The Silence Zone directive has come after a heated debate that followed singer Sonu Nigam's tweets regarding the morning azaan.

A couple of weeks ago, Nigam had stirred a storm in a teacup by ranting against the broadcast of azaan over microphones from mosques, after he was woken up by one early in the morning. He had questioned the use of loudspeakers at places of worship -- irregardless of religion -- altogether.

(With inputs from PTI)

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.