When lowering the volume of loudspeakers brought tension in many parts of the country, Uttar Pradesh set an example as over 1.29 lakh loudspeakers were either switched off or their volume was lowered bringing respite to the people.
“During a campaign in Uttar Pradesh, 71,114 loudspeakers were removed from various places of worship while the volume of 58,180 loudspeakers has been reduced,” Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said in a statement issued here on Saturday.
He said there was no bias in removing loudspeakers. He said loudspeakers were removed from temples as well as mosques and this was done voluntarily by the heads of these religious institutions on an appeal of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
“Another initiative of the Yogi government that has won praises is donating these loudspeakers to schools or they have been put to use for public announcements,” Awasthi said.
The government record suggests that over 4,371 loudspeakers were given for the morning assembly of schools, while 940 loudspeakers were given for the public address system in the area.
The state Home department had on April 23 issued orders to remove loudspeakers from religious places. The chief minister’s instructions were based on an order of the Allahabad High Court and the state authorities were ready to follow the same in letter and spirit.
The entire process was conducted in a peaceful and cordial manner by holding dialogue with the spiritual leaders of different communities. During the campaign, the spiritual leaders were made aware of noise pollution through loudspeakers. Giving a good message to society, the religious leaders extended their support in removing the loudspeakers, the official said.