This week, Delhi heard the Kanwar Yatra before seeing it.Newspapers reported residents describing sleepless nights and rattling windows due to the ear-splitting noise. The Hindustan Times said its sound metrers clocked more than 100 decibels as trucks carrying large sound systems moved through residential areas near Kalindi Kunj and Kalkaji. Between passing convoys, readings were between 80 decibels and 88 decibels.Police officers directed traffic and assisted pilgrims, some drivers were asked to lower the volume, but no FIRs had been registered when the measurements were reported. In fact, in Uttar Pradesh, the Kanwar Yatra pilgrims were welcomes included flower petals showered from helicopters.Why is noise during religious events sometimes a public health violation, but other times a celebration that the administration must accommodate?
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta showers flower petals on Kanwar Yatra pilgrims on August 9. Credit: Rekha Gupta @gupta_rekha/X.India’s noise rules make no religious distinction. They require written permission for loudspeakers, set residential limits of 55 decibels by day and 45 at night, and prohibit outdoor amplification between 10 pm and 6 am. Limited festival exemptions do not remove the applicable volume limits.Noise is a public health concern. The World Health Organization and UN agencies say that excessive environmental noise can cause sleep disturbance, hearing impairment and cognitive impairment, and can increase the risk of hypertension and ischaemic heart disease. They recommend limits on nighttime noise exposure.India’s judiciary is clear about protecting citizens from noise. The Supreme Court in 2005 had held the right to live in freedom from noise pollution as a fundamental right protected by Article 21. “We are not concerned with any religion or religious practices; we are concerned only with the fundamental right of the citizens…and the people to protect themselves against noise pollution and forced audiences,” said the court.Yet, these rules have paper-thin enforcement and are selectively applied.This is Kasana DJ. A major attraction on the Kanwar route. Moving towards Meerut from Muzaffarnagar. pic.twitter.com/KPRi5dFIt7— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) August 5, 2026
