Catholic leaders in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh welcomed a government campaign to remove loudspeakers from religious places.
“If the government is doing it in a non-partisan way and without religious prejudices, it is to be appreciated,” said Father Anand Mathew.
The priest noted that most loudspeakers were removed from the top of Hindu temples.
On April 25, the Uttar Pradesh government began a statewide drive to remove unauthorized loudspeakers from religious places and set the volume of others within permissible limits.
Police director general Prashant Kumar told reporters that as of May 1 they were able to remove a total of 53,942 loudspeakers and had set the volume of 60,295 loudspeakers within permissible limits.
Kumar clarified that they are removing the loudspeakers from all religious places without any discrimination.
The latest drive began after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that people have the freedom to perform their religious practices according to their faith.
He said, however, that although microphones can be used during the service, “it should be ensured that the sound does not come out of any premises.”
Father Mathew told Matters India that he has not heard of churches being targeted in the present campaign.
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