Use speakers within mosques, loudspeakers outside disturb students, patients: Minister KS Eshwarappa
Karwar, Apr 4: Amid opposition by some right wing groups to the use loudspeakers at mosques, senior Karnataka Minister K S Eshwarappa on Monday said, any solution to the issue can be found by taking the Muslim community into confidence, keeping the interests of students and patients in mind.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray last week demanded that loudspeakers of mosques be shut down.
"If this is not stopped, there will be speakers outside mosques playing Hanuman Chalisa at higher volume," he had said in Mumbai.
Stating that it is not a competition to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers to counter its use at mosques, and that it may lead to conflict between communities, Eshwarappa advised Muslim leaders to see to it that speakers are limited to their places of worship and don't disturb people living in surrounding areas.
"The attempts by Raj Thackeray or Sri Rama Sene against the use of loudspeakers at mosques, has to be naturally done by taking the Muslim community into confidence. There have been complaints for a long time that it disturbs students and patients during morning and evening hours," Eshwarappa said.
Speaking to reporters, he said the Muslim community have for long been following the tradition of using loudspeakers to call for prayer, but it is disturbing students, including their children and patients.
"This is not a competition for us to play Hanuman Chalisa loudly on speakers to counter them....I have no objections to you (Muslims) offering prayer, but because of you are using loudspeakers, if prayers are offered at temples and churches also in a similar way, it will lead to conflict between communities," he said, adding that in his opinion, it will be good if Muslim community leaders to think about it and use speakers within the mosques, in a way it doesn't disturb others.
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Cyberabad police arrest 193 drunk drivers in ongoing crackdown
Hyderabad: As part of a continued crackdown on drunk driving, Cyberabad police arrested 193 individuals on Saturday, November 23. Authorities seized a total of 160 two-wheelers, 6 three-wheelers, and 27 four-wheelers during the operation. Among those detained, 19 had dangerously high blood alcohol levels, ranging from 200 mg/100 ml to 550 mg/100 ml.
All offenders will face the court for legal proceedings. Under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, drunk driving is a serious offense, with penalties including fines of up to Rs. 10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months. Repeat violations can lead to driving license suspensions for at least three months or, in severe cases, permanent revocation.
Between August 24 and November 21, Hyderabad police booked 13,933 individuals for drunk driving, leading to various consequences such as fines, imprisonment, and license suspensions. During this period, 824 offenders received jail sentences ranging from one to ten days.
Additionally, 227 drivers were required to complete two days of social service, and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) suspended 99 licenses for two to six months based on court directives. The courts also imposed a collective fine of Rs. 2.87 crore on violators.
