Bureaucracy
IAS Officer Shailbala Martin Sparks Controversy Over Temple Loudspeakers in Madhya Pradesh
A remark made by a senior Madhya Pradesh IAS officer regarding the use of loudspeakers in temples has sparked a significant debate and protests. The officer raised concerns about noise pollution caused by public address systems, leading to an investigation by the state police and a broader conversation about religious venues and noise regulations.
Bhopal: Senior IAS officer Shailbala Martin has found herself at the center of a heated controversy in Madhya Pradesh following remarks she made on social media about the use of loudspeakers in temples. Martin raised concerns about the noise pollution caused by public address systems, questioning why such disturbances, often heard late into the night, are not more strictly regulated. Her comments have drawn the ire of several religious groups, leading to protests and widespread public debate.
The controversy began last week when the use of loudspeakers at a religious event became a topic of discussion after a 13-year-old boy tragically collapsed and died during a DJ performance at a Durga idol immersion ceremony in Bhopal. This incident reignited conversations around noise pollution, with some questioning the regulation of sound systems in both religious and public spaces.
Martin’s social media post specifically addressed the disparity in the enforcement of noise regulations between religious institutions. She questioned why noise pollution caused by temple loudspeakers, which can be heard several streets away, is often overlooked. This comment was met with opposition from the right-wing organization Sanskriti Bachao Manch, which has called for protests against the officer.
The incident has prompted the Madhya Pradesh police to initiate an investigation into the officer’s comments, while the debate surrounding the use of loudspeakers in religious venues continues to grow. Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez has come out in support of Martin, stating that she has raised a valid question, while others accuse her of bias.
Shailbala Martin, who has held various significant positions in Madhya Pradesh’s administrative services, including roles in the health department and municipal corporations, is no stranger to challenging the status quo. She currently serves as Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department. Her latest remarks have opened up a larger conversation about noise pollution and its regulation, a topic that has long been debated across religious and public spaces in India.
Last year, the Madhya Pradesh government introduced guidelines aimed at controlling noise pollution, specifically targeting the public address systems used in religious venues. The current situation has brought this issue back into the spotlight, with many questioning the effectiveness of those guidelines in light of recent events.
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