Kishan Singh

Bengaluru: With Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik and his supporters raising objections to playing azaan on loudspeakers, Karnataka is all set to witness another communal issue after hijab and halal. Just before the Ugadi festivals, Hindu organisations issued a call to boycott halal meat sold by Muslim mutton sellers.

Now Hindu activists have launched a fresh campaign against the azaan, or call to prayer. The opposition parties have launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government for remaining silent on this issue. They charge that the silence of the government gives a boost to these organisations to raise these sensitive issues, which damages the social fabric of the state, the opposition leaders said.

Sri Rama Sene chairman Pramod Muthalik in Dharwad urged the government to remove loudspeakers from mosques, which they claim cause noise pollution. They warned of escalating protests if the government did not act. Every day at 5 a.m., bhajans would be played in temples to "counter" the azan.

Reacting sharply to the campaign, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy accused Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai of remaining silent on these issues.

"Muslims have been utilising loudspeakers for azaan." "Why are Hindutva groups now being disturbed?" he wondered. "There is no response from the Chief Minister." He's been deafeningly quiet as if nothing had happened," said Kumaraswamy.

He stated that playing Bhajans and Azans had been practising for decades and that as a child, he listened to both and grew up listening to these. He said that over a period of time, playing Bhajans, or religious songs or Kirtans, has decreased. Let us revive this and instil religious values in our children. Instead of inculcating religious values in our children, attacking other religions is not good and should be stopped, he said.

He also criticised Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for remaining silent on these issues. This Bommai government is being run by someone else; this is a remote-controlled government, "said the former CM.

Karnataka is the garden of peace and the BJP has set fire to this garden. Congress authorised the setting of the fire, but the grand old party remained silent for fear of losing votes. "I just raised my voice against those who are causing unrest," said Kumaraswamy.

BJP is diverting the attention of the public

Meanwhile, KPCC working president and MLA Ramalinga Reddy stated that Hindutva outfits, with the support of the state government, have been raising communal issues in the state to divert attention away from real issues such as inflation and unemployment.

Reddy stated that the Supreme Court issued a judgement on loudspeakers in mosques and that the State Environment and Pollution Control Board published guidelines on the level of noise throughout the day and night. He alleged that the BJP governments at the centre and state have been dredging up these communally sensitive matters to cover up true problems.

CM says govt will take a call

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai reacted to this issue, and speaking to media persons on Tuesday, he said that it was not forced because it was a court order. He said that the government would make a decision only after speaking with and explaining to the public.

"The following is the HC order. It isn't forced. Everything must be accomplished through conversation and explanation to others. It applies to all loudspeakers, not just azaan. So, we'll make a call," "Bommai stated.

Kamal Pant Reacts

City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant stated that all religious institutions are obligated to adhere to and observe the High Court's noise pollution directives under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, which were implemented in 2000.

Any breach will result in contempt proceedings and legal action. He further stated that action would be taken against temple management for violations and contempt