Controversy arises as IAS officer challenges loudspeaker use in temples over noise pollution
Bhopal: A woman IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh has sparked controversy by suggesting that the state government's order regulating loudspeakers at places of worship may be executed with religious bias. Shailbala Martin, a 2009-batch IAS officer, raised concerns about noise pollution from temple loudspeakers, questioning why they are allowed to disturb residents late into the night.
In a post on X, she expressed support for Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's initiative to regulate loudspeakers in temples, mosques, and churches, emphasizing that such regulation should be applied uniformly across all religious venues to alleviate noise issues for everyone.
However, her comments have drawn criticism from the Hindu organization Samskrit Bachao Manch, which accused Martin of "communalizing" the issue and claimed her statements offended Hindu sentiments. The group’s leader, Chandrasekhar Tiwari, warned that her remarks could disrupt communal harmony and advised her to avoid such sensitive topics in the future.
In a political twist, the Congress party has accused the ruling BJP government of religious discrimination in enforcing the loudspeaker regulation. Congress spokesman Abbas Hafeez claimed that the implementation of the order reflects a bias based on religious considerations. He urged the state government to acknowledge the issue raised by the IAS officer and rectify any discriminatory practices.
BJP spokesman Milan Bhargav, however, refuted allegations of bias, asserting that the government is adhering to the rule of law and acting constitutionally. He stated that the government has set a precedent by implementing the order without discrimination.
This is not the first time Martin has faced backlash for her statements. Previously, she received heavy criticism on social media when she addressed the plight of women in Manipur while responding to posts criticizing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over an incident in Parliament.
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Woman in Himachal Pradesh bullies Kashmiri shawl sellers, video turns up on X
Shimla, Nov 25: A woman claiming to be a panchayat official was caught on camera warning two shawl sellers from Kashmir against trading their wares in Himachal Pradesh.
The 2.46-minute video that surfaced on social media showed the woman telling the two Kashmiris not to come to the village and asking them to say "Jai Shri Ram" to prove they are "Hindustani."
Sharing the video on X on Monday, National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, Nasir Khuehami, claimed that the video was from a village in Himachal's Hamirpur district.
"No one will purchase their products, buy from our Hindu people," the woman is seen telling others in the video. "Don't come in my area," she told shawl sellers.
Later in a post, Khuehami said that the chief minister's office had assured action against anyone found intimidating Kashmiris.
However, when contacted, the CM's media advisor Naresh Chauhan told the PTI that there was no such complaint. The matter would be looked into if any complaint is registered, he said.
A large number of Kashmiris come to the state to sell shawls and other products, while hundreds of Kashmiris labourers work in the state round the year.
It is highly condemnable that a woman, wife of a Sarpanch, is exhibiting communal behavior toward two Kashmiri men who traveled to Himachal Pradesh for business purposes. Her communal actions, as seen in the video, where she threatens them to leave the state, instructs villagers… pic.twitter.com/IIw2dkZPGt
— Nasir Khuehami (ناصر کہویہامی) (@NasirKhuehami) November 25, 2024
