IAS Officer's Remarks on Temple Loudspeakers Spark Controversy in Madhya Pradesh

A recent social media post by Senior IAS officer Shailbala Martin has ignited a heated debate in Madhya Pradesh, where she questioned the noise pollution caused by public address systems installed at temples. Following the death of a 13-year-old boy during Durga idol immersion, Martin's post gained attention, criticizing the late-night disturbances caused by temple loudspeakers. This sparked backlash from right-wing groups, particularly Sanskriti Bachao Manch, while others, including Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez, defended her stance.

The Officer’s Controversial Post

Martin, who currently serves as the Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, responded to a post on the social media platform X, highlighting the imbalance in how noise pollution laws are enforced across religious spaces. Her criticism of temple loudspeakers, stating that their noise is often tolerated despite being a disturbance, led to demands for protests against her by right-wing groups like Sanskriti Bachao Manch.

In her post, Martin highlighted that noise from temple public address systems can often be heard many streets away and may continue late into the night, suggesting this form of noise pollution is frequently overlooked.

Reactions and Political Responses

While Martin’s post sparked outrage from groups like Sanskriti Bachao Manch, Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez supported her position, claiming she raised legitimate questions about the enforcement of noise pollution guidelines, suggesting the BJP government acts selectively on such matters.

The officer has a track record of raising government-related issues, and this is not the first time she has challenged the state government's actions. Despite the controversy, some believe that her remarks echo broader concerns about biased regulations when it comes to religious and public events.

Shailbala Martin's Career Background

A 2009-batch IAS officer, Martin began her career in the State Civil Service (SCS) and was promoted to the IAS in 2017. Throughout her career, she has held significant positions, including as Municipal Commissioner of Burhanpur and Collector of Niwari. Since January 2022, she has been serving as the Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department.

Madhya Pradesh’s Noise Pollution Guidelines

The state has existing guidelines aimed at controlling noise pollution from public address systems, particularly in religious venues. However, the recent controversy highlights ongoing debates over how these regulations are enforced and whether certain religious groups face unequal scrutiny.

Reference: www.ndtv.com