Bengaluru: Hardly anyone raises an objection if there are violations of citizens’ rights in the name of religion. But Mr Prashant Rao, a resident of Thyagarajanagar, is a crusader who has taken on a few residents in his area for encroaching the main road in the name of a temple and violating the sound pollution norms.
In a petition filed before the high court, Mr Rao states that his mother, who had undergone a surgery, had to walk home as the road was closed for some temple celebration. The petition names Ms Saraswati as one of the encroachers.
“Right to religion and right to culture are enshrined in the Constitution, but right to noise does not come as a compliment. It is stated in my petition that the people who visit the temple park their vehicles in front of my house,” he said.
Blaring speakers too are placed near the petitioner’s house, not only violating the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) norm of silent zone, but also Supreme Court’s order that prohibits the use of loudspeakers for any gospel of any religion, it stated.
The petition has enclosed a High Court order which held that Thyagrajanagar First Main Road cannot be closed in the name of some celebrations by Ms Sarswati and her accomplices. An RTI reply sought in April established that there was no permission sought to close the road and over 975 cases of no-parking violations were booked in March under the Basavanagudi police station limits.
In the name of religion
The CPCB classifies places of worship as silent zones and any police officer, not below the rank of DSP, can take action. Mr Prashant Rao has been protesting in front of KSPCB and BBMP offices.
