The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has rejected a petition filed by a mosque seeking permission to use loudspeakers, asserting that no religion mandates prayers to be offered through voice amplifiers. The court emphasized that the use of loudspeakers to practice religion is not a right.

Justices Anil Pansare and Raj Wakode, presiding over the bench, referenced Supreme Court judgments, stating that no religion necessitates prayers to be conducted using voice amplifiers or drums. The bench dismissed the petition filed by Masjid Gousiya from the Gondia district on December 1, 2025, noting the mosque was unable to provide evidence demonstrating that using loudspeakers was an essential or mandatory practice in their religion. Consequently, the court concluded that the petitioner was not entitled to the relief sought.

The High Court referenced prior Supreme Court rulings, highlighting the importance of citizens' entitlement to reasonable quietness, especially for the young, elderly, sick, and those with psychic disturbances. The court also addressed the recurring issue of noise pollution, recognizing it as a significant threat to public health and welfare. Noise pollution can trigger the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome, leading to the release of harmful chemicals into the bloodstream and potentially causing long-term health problems.

The bench noted that the petitioner could not produce any legal or religious documents establishing a right to use loudspeakers for offering prayers. The court also stated that freedom of speech does not extend to forcing unwilling listeners to hear amplified sound and that while there is a right to speak, there also exists a right to decline to listen.

In a similar case on January 25, 2025, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a writ petition seeking to compel state authorities to allow the installation of loudspeakers at a mosque in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. The court stated that religious places are intended for prayer, emphasizing that the use of loudspeakers is not an inherent right. The Allahabad High Court also noted that the use of loudspeakers cannot be claimed as a matter of right, especially when it creates a nuisance for residents. The state counsel in the Allahabad case argued that the petition violated noise regulations under the Uttar Pradesh Noise Control Rules.