Hindu organisations fix May 9 deadline for removal of mikes

By NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The row over loudspeakers in mosques has taken a new turn with rightwing organisations setting May 9 as the deadline for authorities concerned to get the mikes removed failing which they have decided to play bhajans and perform arathi five times a day at the nearest temples.

This has put the state government in a tight spot again as it had already authorised the Home Department to implement the orders of the Supreme Court banning the use of loudspeakers in public places between 10 pm and 6 am besides imposing decibel limits. The DG &IGP Praveen Sood has sent a circular to all police stations in the state to abide by the apex court verdict. While some police stations have promptly implemented the order by convincing the mosque and temple authorities to remove mikes, other stations are yet to do it. Recently, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had clarified that the government will not interfere in this issue since the Supreme Court has already given its verdict and the home department would implement the order in toto. After the hijab row, a few right-wing organisations had taken steps against the minorities such as banning them from doing business at Hindu fairs, coaxing people to boycott halal cut meat, telling people not to buy fruits from Muslim traders and not to travel in cabs, cars and autorickshaws owned and driven by the minorities. They are now putting pressure on the government to direct the home department to strictly implement the order banning mikes on mosques for Azaan prayers.

The activists say the law of the land is applicable to everyone and it must be followed strictly.

The government also does not want to act tough against Hindu organisations fearing a backlash in the coming Assembly polls. This has provided much needed fodder to the opposition Congress which has pounced on the state government for its failure to rein in Hindu fundamentalist organisations which, they contend, are dictating terms to the government.