Prayagraj admn asks religious leaders to adhere to guidelines

PRAYAGRAJ:: The Prayagraj district administration has made permission mandatory for the religious processions. Officials led by district magistrate Sanjay Khatri held a meeting with Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Muslim religious leaders on Tuesday in the context of the loudspeaker guidelines issued by the CM.

The district magistrate urged them to adhere to guidelines at their respective religious places.

“The religious leaders have been asked to adhere to the set norms for use of loudspeakers and ensure that their use does not cause noise pollution or inconvenience to others. They have also been asked to take prior permission before taking out any religious process as per the set guidelines. All religious leaders have unanimously promised to adhere to the directions,” said Prayagraj’s ADM (City) Madan Kumar, confirming the move.

He said that the religious leaders have also been asked to inform the district administration in case of change in volume of loudspeakers or increase in their counts at any particular religious place.

The Prayagraj district administration has, however, so far not issued any notices to any religious centre on the issue or removed any loudspeaker for failing to adhere to the norms.

Religious leaders of Sangam city in general seem to welcome the UP CM’s directives and the district administration’s efforts to implement the orders.

“Use of loudspeakers at high decibels is wrong and unnecessary. Efforts to ensure that the guidelines set for their use are implemented strictly and uniformly on all is a welcome move. We welcome the steps and will adhere to the set norms,” said Maulana Mohsin Taqvi, Imame Jumma of Shia Jama Masjid, Prayagraj

Shridharanand Brahmchari, in-charge of the Mankameshwar temple located near Saraswati Ghat in Prayagraj, also termed the step as “timely and necessary”. “Certain communities often use loudspeakers at very high volumes which cause disturbance to general population and this should be avoided. Similarly, I believe that prior permission for taking out religious processions would also help in avoiding traffic disruptions or disturbances,” he said.