It is learnt that in a sudden corrigendum to an earlier notification on sound ban in night hours issued by the State government, the use of amplified sound and public address systems has been banned from 10 pm on all days and from midnight on special religious and cultural festive days.
The corrigendum has spurred suspense over the fate of midnight religious services for the upcoming Christmas season which are held across the State. It is pertinent to note that several churches and Catholic institutions hold outdoor midnight services on Christmas Day eve and New Year’s eve which extend past midnight.
It would be in the fitness of things for the government not to put a blanket ban on loud music which includes religious ceremonies of all faiths. It seems necessary to differentiate between loud sound used for entertainment purposes and the not-so-loud sound used for religious purpose.
