Shiv Sena slams Bombay High Court order banning erection of pandals on roads

MUMBAi: Criticising the recent Bombay High Court order which stated that denying permission to erect temporary pandals on roads and foothpaths is not a breach of fundamental right to religion, the Shiv Sena today said that the verdict appears to have come from a Pakistani court.

While hearing a PIL filed on noise pollution during festivals, Bombay High Court had last week ruled that no citizen can claim fundamental right to worship God or offer prayer at any and every place, unless it is a significant place of worship.

"After hearing the judgement, the citizens had misunderstood it to be a judgement from a Pakistani court because putting such restrictions on Hindus and their festivals can only be done by a Pakistani court," the Sena said in an edit in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

The Sena said that citizens never complained that festivals cause noise pollution, cause damage to ears, cause breathing problems or cause difficulty in sleeping.

"If one talks about noise pollution, why does nobody have the courage to remove loudspeakers from mosques in Bhendi Bazaar and Mahim. During Eid-e-Milad celebrations, noise levels had reached 120 decibels. But nobody had measured the noise levels then. Putting restrictions on festivals is like taking away a chance of being happy," it said.

It added that people are already bogged down high inflation, unemployment, corruption in the country and that they have very little time to be happy.

"The Courts should not encroach upon the rights of the government. By passing remarks on political and religious matters, the Courts are striking on a government that is elected by the people," the Sena said.