VC of Allahabad University demands ban on using loudspeakers for azan, says disturbs sleep and effects work efficiency

New Delhi: After Sonu Nigam’s azan row, now the vice-chancellor of Allahabad University has written a letter to the district magistrate, demanding a ban on using loudspeakers for azan. 

She said that use of loudspeakers for azan disturbs her sleep and effects work efficiency.

Sangeeta Srivastava, the VC of Allahabad University, has written a direct letter to the district magistrate saying that the morning azan from the nearby mosque in Civil Lines area disturbs her sleep around 5.30 am every morning.

She furthers said that the sleep thus disturbed cannot be compensated later which causes sleeplessness and effects the overall work efficiency.

“Every day in the morning at about 5:30 am, my sleep is disturbed due to loud Azan done on the mike by the Maulvi in the surrounding mosque. The sleep so disturbed done not resume even after trying very hard. This also results in a headache, through out the day, causing losses in work hours,” the letter reads.

The V-C says, “An old adage says ‘your freedom ends where my nose begins’ this holds true here. I am not against any religion, caste or creed. They may perform the Azan without the mike so that others are not disturbed. Even before Eid, they announce Sehri on the mike at 4:00 am. This practice also creates disturbance to other people. The constitution of India envisages a secular and peaceful co-existence of all communities, which needs to be practiced in letter and spirit.”

Karnataka Waqf Board bars use of loudspeakers

The Karnataka State Board of Auqaf has prohibited the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am during azaan for all mosques and dargahs in the state. In a circular, the Board said the decision to bar the use of loudspeakers was taken to prevent noise pollution.

The circular states, “It is observed that increasing ambient noise level around many masjids and dargahs due to generator sets, loudspeakers and public address systems have deleterious effects on human health and the psychological well-being of the people. With the objective of maintaining the ambient standards of noise, The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 are in force. Loudspeakers shall not be used in the night time which shall mean from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.”