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Maharashtra’s Barad village stands together against loudspeaker controversy

Resolving to maintain peace in the village, citizens remained united in not using loudspeakers at any religious structure

Maharashtra’s Barad village stands together against loudspeaker controversy
Image: https://english.newstracklive.com

While Maharashtra is embroiled in a controversy regarding the use of loudspeakers in mosques, Maharashtra’s Barad village in Nanded maintains its five-year-long decision to not use loudspeakers for religious spaces.

As Eid on May 3, 2022 draws closer, security and administrative units all over Maharashtra prepare themselves to address the open threats of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). In an earlier address, party Chief Raj Thackeray demanded that all mosques remove their loudspeakers by Eid if they do not want MNS workers to play Hanuman Chalisa outside their structures.

The speech garnered some anger and disquiet from the minority community. However, Barad’s religious groups have staunchly stuck to their decision not to use loudspeakers for any temple, mosque or Buddha temple.

According to Aaj Tak, Barad gram panchayat is a peaceful and prosperous village that produces bananas, sugarcane, vegetables and flowers. Apart from economic prosperity, its 15,000 strong population has also ensured religious unity. In 2018, villagers voiced troubles due to the noise pollution caused by loudspeakers of 15 Hindu temples, Buddhist viharas, Jain temples and mosques in this village. The religious places used to play their prayers throughout the day until citizens collectively decided to ban loudspeakers in all these structures.

Even nowadays when political parties are trying to rile up communal conflicts, these villages adhered to their decision from five years ago. According to Aaj Tak, the people are proud to uphold their secular culture of religious unity. The village remains peaceful amidst growing reports of hate in other parts of the country.

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