Former Supreme Court judge Rohinton Fali Nariman has called for a nationwide prohibition on the use of loudspeakers and bells in religious practices, asserting that such noise intrusions directly affect public health and disturb societal harmony.
Justice NarimanSpeaking at the K.M. Bashir Memorial Lecture in Thiruvananthapuram on September 1, Justice Nariman observed that the amplified use of sound in the name of faith—whether in mosques, temples, or other places of worship—cannot be justified when it infringes upon the fundamental rights of others. According to him, the issue is not merely about religious expression but about citizens’ right to rest, health, and tranquility.
He suggested that religious activities should be confined to spaces like auditoriums or enclosed halls, where sound is restricted to those present. Extending such practices into the open through loudspeakers, he warned, transforms them into a public nuisance rather than a matter of devotion.
Justice Nariman anchored his appeal in constitutional principles. Emphasizing that the Preamble begins with “We, the people of India”, he highlighted that the Constitution belongs equally to all citizens—irrespective of majority or minority identity. True secularism, he argued, requires that no community impose its practices on others under the guise of tradition.
He also referred to Article 25 of the Constitution, which secures freedom of religion but places express limits on it in the interest of public order, morality, health, and social welfare. The unrestricted use of loudspeakers, he maintained, falls within these exceptions, as it poses risks to health and undermines public order.
Going beyond the legal framework, Justice Nariman reminded citizens of their fundamental duty to foster fraternity and respect for all faiths. In his view, fraternity is the glue that holds India’s diverse society together, and the erosion of this spirit threatens both dignity and national unity.
Urging states to take decisive action, he made a strong case for applying uniform standards—banning loudspeakers and bells across religions—so that equality is preserved and constitutional values are upheld in practice, not just in principle.
The post Justice Rohinton Nariman calls for uniform ban on religious loudspeakers to safeguard public health appeared first on India Legal.