PIL against Masjid loudspeakers: HC says illegal loudspeakers of all religious centres must go

August 1, 2014

Mumbai, Aug 1: Calling upon all citizens to come together against noise pollution the Bombay high court has directed the police to remove loudspeakers from places of worship in Mumabi and Navi Mumbai if the required permission from the authorities has not been obtained.

A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode, while hearing a PIL, said that unauthorized loudspeakers must be confiscated irrespective of whether they were installed for "Ganeshotsav, Navratri or in mosques... irrespective of religion, caste or community". It called on citizens to "come together" against noise pollution.

A recent RTI plea unearthed data that showed 45 of the 49 mosques in the area did not have the requisite permission for loudspeakers.

The PIL, filed by Navi Mumbai resident Santosh Pachalag earlier this year, raised the issue of "illegal use of loudspeakers" by mosques in Navi Mumbai. It claimed that, according to data obtained recently under the Right to Information Act, 45 of the 49 mosques (around 92%) in the area do not have permission for loudspeakers. It added that the mosques are located in silence zones, which house schools and hospitals, and that their loudspeakers surpass the decibel levels allowed under the Noise Pollution (Control and Regulations) Rules 2000.

The judges on Wednesday asked the state to find out if the mosques have taken necessary approval. "If they have not, what steps have you taken? This cannot go on," said Justice Kanade.

Pachalag's advocate D G Dhanure said the police can confiscate the loudspeakers if they are being used without proper approvals. He submitted that, according to RTI data, Ganpati and Navratri mandals in Thane had applied for permission to play loudspeakers.

The bench said that unauthorized loudspeakers must be confiscated in all cases, "whether Ganeshotsav or Navratri or mosques". It observed that festivals like Ganeshotsav and Navratri can get noisy. "They are a source of continuous noise pollution. It is impossible to sleep during Ganeshotsav, particularly its last five days," said Justice Kanade, adding that "patients and old people at home" are especially affected. The judges called for a citizens' initiative against noise pollution.

The judges directed the state to file an affidavit on whether all mosques in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai that use loudspeakers have sought permission for them. "If necessary permission is not obtained, the police are directed to take adequate steps to removal these loudspeakers," they noted in their order.

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the most disturbing part is listening to the muslim prayers early in the morning , it gives d worst start for the day ....
i dont know what mosques were doing before the invention of speakers

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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Nati koli saaru, fry, idli, vada and pongal on Siddaramaiah’s breakfast menu at DKS’ residence

News Network

December 2,2025

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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