SC allows loudspeakers on Mumbai beaches for Chhath fest

The SC on Friday permitted the use of loudspeakers at all Mumbai beaches, including Juhu, during the Chhath festival celebrated by people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, who have been the target of violence unleashed by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists recently.

Taking up a petition filed by Bihari Front, which sought a direction to the Maharashtra Government to allow use of microphones and sound systems during Chhath, the Bench, headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, directed the District Collector to allow Chhath puja organisers to use loudspeakers and amplifiers till 10 pm as per the apex court guidelines for crowd management and performance of rituals.

The Bench gave liberty to the organisers to approach the authorities if they required any facilities like building rooms for women to change clothes and mobile toilets near the beach.

The court rejected the contention of a Mumbai-based NGO, Citizens Group, which had alleged that under the garb of crowd management, the public address systems are used for airing political speeches. In a recent directive, Maharashtra Government had banned use of public address system at Juhu Beach where devotees assemble to take part in Chhath puja. The issue of Chhath puja has assumed importance as MNS chief Raj Thackeray has objected to celebrating the festival in Mumbai.