Silent judgement
the Supreme Court has, in a significant judgement, ruled that no religion prescribes or preaches that prayers are required to be performed through voice amplifiers or beating of drums and "in any case, if there is such a practice, it should not adversely affect the rights of others.'
The court, while dismissing an appeal of a Chennai-based church against an order of the Chennai high court, observed that apart from a lack of awareness among the citizens, the government officials have also failed to take action to prevent noise pollution. "In our view, in a civilised society, in the name of religion, activities which disturb old or infirm persons, students and children cannot be permitted,' noted the Supreme Court.
The Delhi high court has, made it mandatory for the cracker industry to label on their products the level of pollution that will be caused when the crackers are burned.