Loudspeaker row reaches Karnataka, Hindu groups chant Hanuman Chalisa, Suprabhata hymns against Azaan

Bengaluru: More than 1,000 temples across Karnataka played Hanuman Chalisa and Suprabhata hymns from 0500 hours to 0600 hours across the state to counter usage of loudspeakers for Azaan from mosques on Monday.

The chantings were heard in temples, which are being backed by Sri Ram Sene and other Hindu groups, situated in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Belgaum, Dharwad, Hubballi, Kalaburagi and other places across the state.

Sene founder Pramod Muthalik inaugurated the chanting via loudspeaker at a temple in Mysuru district at 0500 hours. After completing the chantings at 0600 hours, Muthalik told reporters that the Hindu activists would intensify their Hanuman Chalisa chantings in coming days if the state government does not act against loudspeaker usage in mosques.

"The Muslims are adamant on the issue. And the government has not taken action against mosques using loudspeakers. The patients and students are getting disturbed by Azaan in the morning. If the government does not take action and reduce the decibels of the loudspeakers, we will intensify the Hanuman Chalisa campaign in coming days and we ourselves will bring down the loudspeakers from mosques," he warned.

Muthalik blamed the Congress party to embolden the Muslim community to violate the apex court's order. "Congress has emboldened Muslims to feel that they are above the law. Law must be upheld and no one is above law," he said.

He also threatened to move Karnataka High Court against the government and its officials for not taking action against usage of loudspeakers for Azaan at mosques.

Karnataka police is on high alert after launching of Hanuman Chalisa campaign against Azaan and beefed up the security to maintain law and order. The police have arrested some Sene activists for using loudspeakers for playing Hanuman Chalisa and bhajans to counter Azaan from mosques.

"Who are they arresting? They are arresting the devotees who are playing devotional songs in the temples. Shame on this BJP government. They are arresting people who offer prayers in temples. Why? Shame on the BJP government. You claim to stand for Hindus and Hindutva, but cannot act on this (loudspeakers). Will you make arrests? Will you issue a notice?" he questioned.

"Take action on as many people as you can, we will see. Our agitation (against loudspeakers) will intensify tomorrow. This campaign will last until you take action. Not only our Hindu organizations, but the entire Hindu community will take to the streets in protest - this is my warning to you," he added.

Muthalik said the state government did not have guts to take down the loudspeakers from the mosques which are against the constitution and law. People are angry over the government's inaction for not complying with the Supreme Court's order against noise pollution via loudspeakers used for Azaan from mosques, Muthalik said.

He asked the government to show courage to act against the noise pollution generated from mosques, instead of taking action against Hindu temples. "The BJP is in power because of Hindu votes. Show your dadagiri against loudspeakers at mosques. We are doing it peacefully without creating any law and order problem," he said.

Nearly 54,000 unauthorised loudspeakers were removed from religious places and the volume of over 60,000 was set to permissible limits across Uttar Pradesh, as part of a statewide drive undertaken by the government there.

Replying to a question, Muthalik said if the police try to restrain Sene workers, it may lead to confrontation. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has warned of strict action against those violating the Supreme Court order, causing noise pollution.

"We will not hesitate to take stringent action against those who take law into their hands," he said. (UNI)