Chandirgarh: In an attempt to curb noise pollution, the the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued 15 commandments banning the use of loudspeakers or public address systems in private or public places in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Among other things, the blowing of horn has been banned in residential areas between 10 pm and 6 am. Religious places such as temples, mosques and gurdwaras have also been prohibited from using loudspeaker and public address system without permission. And even this permission cannot be granted 15 days before or during annual examinations.
The high court underlining that glorification of violence has given rise to culture of gangsters in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh, directed a blanket ban on celebratory firing and live show songs glorifying liquor, drugs and violence. The bench of Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Harinder Singh Sidhu made it clear that nobody in Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh would carry firearms to fairs, religious processions, marriage ceremonies and other public assemblage or within the precincts of any educational institution. Authorities have been instructed to keep visiting and monitoring public places, private places, auditoriums, conference rooms, community halls, banquet halls, temples, mosques and gurudwaras. District magistrates, senior police officials of each district have been made personally responsible for compliance.
The only exception made on the use of loudspeakers and public address systems is between 10 pm and 12 midnight during a cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding 15 days in all during a calendar year.
