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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Hindu Activists Demand Swift Enforcement Of High Court’s Loudspeaker Order, Muslim Scholars Decry Targeting

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Mumbai: After Bombay High Court’s judgement stressing that public interest prevails over religious use of loudspeakers, all communities have welcomed the judgement. However, Muslim scholars and activists have argued that only the Muslim community will be targeted against through this order, whereas the judgement speaks for all the communities.

On Thursday, the Bombay High Court passed a judgement saying that use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion. The High Court was hearing a petition filed by Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-op. Housing Societies Association Ltd. alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids in the area.

While the HC bench reminded the authorities that cumulative ambient noise levels must not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night in residential areas, the court also noted that the police are bound to act on the complaints of noise pollution. The judgement brought two major changes in the existing procedures including the level of volume while using loudspeakers during the day and the responsibility of police to act against the religious pleas flouting the norms.

Advocate Kaushik Mhatre, who appeared for this matter, said, “According to Mahesh Bedekar vs The State of Maharashtra, the court has set a benchmark of sound levels to be below 55 decibels against the earlier practice of using the speakers on high volumes. It has also asked the police to take action against noise pollution instances under the Maharashtra Police Act.”

While the judgement has been welcomed by all communities upholding the convenience of human beings and the wrath caused by noise pollution, Muslim scholars and activists argued that it should not be turned.

Mufti Manzur Ziyaee, chairman of International Sufi Carvan, said, “Just like the entire planet, pollution is a major concern in India and everyone should contribute to curb it. Whether it is a religious, social or a personal event, the guidelines should be followed by all. There will be narratives targeting one particular community as the facilitator of this issue. Rather than religious perspective, both the communities should look at the issue as a national an environmental concern.”

Religious scholars said that apart from implementing the guidelines on religious places and events, they should also be implemented on social and personal events to win the fight against noise pollution.

Ashfaq Qazi, Mufti of Jumma Masjid at Kalbadevi, said, “Sharia does not say that we need to disturb someone through azaan. We support this order by the High Court as we also believe that nobody should be affected due to noise pollution. Azaan is held only for three to five minutes whereas there are events which use loudspeakers till late in the night. There should not be a dual policy and the rules should be same for all kind of events.”

Saleem Sarang, president of Muslim Welfare Association, suggested that only one mosque should use loudspeaker in the localities with multiple mosques as the objective of alerting people is being fulfilled by one mosque also. However, he alleged that Maharashtra’s member of legislative council Chitra Wagh has already given the judgement a communal angle through her social media post.

“Since the court’s judgement is for all the religions, it should be followed by everyone. However, the Muslim community is being specifically targeted by politicians like Wagh, who are portraying that the judgement is only for Muslims. She should not paint this issue with communal colours,” Sarang added.

Hindu organisations, on the other hand, alleged that the judgement is specifically meant for Muslim community which uses loudspeakers for religious purposes multiple times everyday, whereas the Hindus use it occasionally during festivals. They also demanded that the new guidelines should be implemented urgently.

Shriraj Nair, national spokesperson of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, said, “We support the High Court’s observation since loudspeakers being played five times a day is a big nuisance. Hindus use these loudspeakers for religious use only during festivals and does not harass people everyday. However, the law of the land is above every organisation and individual and should be followed by everyone irrespective of their religion.”

Sunil Ghanwat, national convenor of Mandir Mahasangh, said, “We welcome the Bombay High Court’s judgement. However such similar orders have been passed by multiple high courts and the supreme court as well but the government fails to implement them strictly. This is the reason mosques have been flouting these orders five times a day. We urge the government to implement the court’s judgement on immediate basis.”

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Pay outstanding water bill before March 31, 2026, otherwise water connection will be disconnected: Municipal Corporation

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Mumbai: The Municipal Corporation is providing regular water supply to the citizens and the Municipal Corporation administration is appealing to all water connection holders to pay the pending water bills before March 31, 2026. It has also been warned that if the pending water bill is not paid within the stipulated time, the water connection will be disconnected. The Water Engineering Department of the Municipal Corporation has launched a comprehensive campaign for the recovery of outstanding water bills. Keeping this in mind, facilities have been provided at the civic amenities center at the nearest department office. In addition, water bills can be paid on the Municipal Corporation website https://aquaptax.mcgm.gov.in. By visiting this website, citizens can view their water bill information and make payments by logging in to the water department. Apart from this, the facility of paying water bills through digital channels like NEFT, online payment, mobile app is also available. If the pending water bill is not paid within the stipulated time i.e. before 31st March 2026, then action can be taken to disconnect the concerned water connection under Section 279 (1) (a) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. Water connection holders who have not received their water bills should contact their administrative department office (ward office). The Municipal Corporation is also providing information that citizens can obtain a copy of the water bill from the Municipal Corporation’s Aqua website or from the office of the concerned Assistant Engineer (Water Works).

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Maharashtra

Palghar Administration Dismisses Rumours Of LPG Shortage, Warns Against Panic Booking And Hoarding

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Palghar, Maharashtra: Amid rumours circulating in some areas about a possible shortage of domestic LPG due to the prevailing war-like situation at the global level, the district administration has clarified that the supply of household cooking gas in Palghar district remains smooth and there is no shortage.

District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar said that the supply of domestic LPG cylinders across the district is continuing without disruption and citizens should not believe in rumours being spread about a shortage.

The district administration has appealed to residents not to panic or rush to stockpile LPG cylinders unnecessarily. It has also warned that domestic LPG cylinders are meant strictly for household use, and any commercial or unauthorised use of such cylinders will invite strict action against the concerned individuals or establishments.

According to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, and the rules of oil marketing companies such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, a minimum gap of 25 days between two cylinder bookings has been made mandatory to prevent hoarding and black marketing. As per the rules, the next cylinder can be booked only after 25 days from the delivery of the previous one.

Meanwhile, all LPG distributors in the district have been instructed to ensure that cylinders are delivered to consumers as early as possible after booking, in accordance with the prescribed norms. Citizens have been advised to contact their respective gas agencies in case of booking-related issues or any technical difficulties.

For grievance redressal, the district administration has also provided two contact numbers — 02525-297474 and 8983456347 (WhatsApp) — where citizens can report their problems through calls or messages.

The administration further stated that the supply of commercial LPG cylinders to essential services such as ashram schools, hospitals, and the mid-day meal scheme will continue without interruption. Action will be taken against distributors if any disruption occurs in supplying gas to these institutions.

Reiterating that there is no shortage of domestic LPG in the district, Dr. Jakhar urged citizens to remain calm, use LPG in a regular manner, and cooperate with the administration.

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Maharashtra

Fish-Laden Truck Overturns On Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Traffic Disrupted For 45 Minutes Near Amrutanjan Bridge

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Navi Mumbai: A truck transporting fish overturned on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway near Amrutanjan Bridge at around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, briefly disrupting traffic before authorities cleared the road within 45 minutes.

Following the accident, teams from IRB patrolling, the Highway Traffic Police (Borghat unit), the Delta Force of the Maharashtra Security Force, and the Mrityunjay Devdoot rescue team rushed to the spot and initiated relief operations. Working in coordination, officials used a crane to shift the overturned truck to a safer location.

To avoid congestion during the operation, traffic was temporarily diverted via Lonavala onto the old Mumbai–Pune Highway, preventing a major traffic jam.

Two persons travelling in the truck sustained minor injuries and were shifted to the Khopoli Municipal Hospital for treatment.

After the truck was removed, traffic on the expressway was restored and is currently moving smoothly. Meanwhile, the Khopoli Police Station has initiated the procedure to register an FIR in connection with the accident, said Police Inspector Sachin Hire from Khopoli police station.

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