Sound policies: Time to enforce the law

The author of the article “May this new year ring in sound policies” published in the Sunday Times of January 7, 2018 , should be commended for writing on an issue taken for granted by many .

Recently I came across a news item in a local newspaper , which quoted a sentence passed in a High Court of Delhi, India banning the use of loudspeakers at religious places. The judgment was based on observation.

During long years of the existence of major religions, ranging from 4,000 years of Hinduism, 2,600 years of Jainism, 2,500 years of Buddhism, 2,000 years of Christianity, 1,500 years of Islam and 500 years of Sikkhism, loudspeakers were not part/intrinsic to any of them. Loudspeakers came into existence in 1924 .

Every democratic country upholds a person’s domestic life where he enjoys rest, physical happiness, peace of mind and security. One’s house is like a castle to him. If loudspeakers are encroaching on one’s right of spatial control (one’s home) that is denied him.

It appears that places of worship of different faiths perceive that the blessing of God cannot be obtained unless there is loud noise. But prayers of all religions have been going from ancient times even before there was electricity.

Blaring sounds through loudspeakers is a noise pollution which is great irritant to senior citizens, ailing patients, students, undergrads and shift workers catching up on sleep.

The main reason for this practice is religious prejudice. So banning the use of loudspeakers for religious institutions in Sri Lanka would be controversial. Strict adherence to the regulations laid down in the Environmental Act relating to sound policies is imperative to minimise this problem .