After Maha, loudspeaker row escalates in K’taka Centre used sedition law to shut critics: Cong

BENGALURU: The row over use of loudspeakers in mosques in Karnataka escalated on Monday after a right wing group played the Hanuman Chalisa and Hindu devotional songs at around 5 am during the time of namaz.

Recorded versions or bhajans being recited by those present at the temples were played out by Sri Rama Sene, a right wing group, as part of a campaign against the state government’s alleged failure to crackdown against the use of loudspeakers in mosques.

“According to our announcement, we had warned the government against the use of loudspeakers in mosques for the last one year. But no change or action was taken. The government’s notice (to mosques) seemed like an eyewash. Mosques continue to recite the ‘azaan’ over loudspeakers from 5 am. They have not reduced the volume as well,” Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik said.

Muthalik on Sunday asked chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and home minister Araga Jnanendra to show the “guts”, shown by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath there, by taking action against unauthorised loudspeakers from religious places and setting the volume of others within permissible limits.

The loudspeaker saga began when Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray, on April 2, gave an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, or the Hanuman Chalisa would be read outside these mosques using loudspeakers.

Amid the developments, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai issued directions for strict implementation of a Supreme Court order on use of loudspeakers at religious places.

“It has been decided to follow the Supreme Court, Government of India and state government’s orders. Details on implementation, authorities for it like deputy superintendent of police and above rank officials are all mentioned in the order. It also mentions the need to take permission for those who want to use loudspeakers throughout the year,” he added.

No one should take law into their hands, the chief minister added.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday attacked the Narendra Modi government over what it called a “blatant misuse” of the sedition law against several sections of the society.

The party also underlined that the government’s announcement to review the colonial-era law came because of the Supreme Court’s warning.

Congress said that the Modi regime used the law rampantly to curb any criticism of the government.

“Criticism of the Modi government and his wrong policies or the RSS can’t be termed anti-national activities. It is in the national interest that we must expose the government and show its undemocratic nature of the government. In eight years, the Modi government has charged nearly all journalists, independent commentators, educationists or political rivals with sedition law,” said Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

The Congress leader alleged that the government turned the sedition law into “a personal propaganda machine and sent lakhs of people behind the bar.”

“Now that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has clearly warned the Modi government and the BJP, accusing them of violating democratic and fundamental rights in a way, they panicked and asked to reinterpret or rethink that sedition law.”

“I am happy that even at this belated stage, if they change their autocratic, dictatorial mindset of suppressing, subjugating and trampling upon every voice of dissent and disagreement, it would bode well for democracy,” Surjewala added.

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government will “suitably” take into account views of stakeholders and ensure that the sovereignty and integrity of the country is preserved while re-examining and reconsidering the law on sedition.

“...the government will reconsider and change the provisions as per the need of the present time. Because there are lots of views coming up,” he said on the sedition law.

CM BOMMAI ISSUED DIRECTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AN SC ORDER ON LOUDSPEAKER USE AT RELIGIOUS PLACES

THE PARTY ALSO SAID GOVT’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO REVIEW THE COLONIAL-ERA LAW CAME BECAUSE OF TOP COURT’S WARNING