Pilibhit: The decision of Pilibhit police restricting playing of devotional music at high volumes during the whole of ‘Shraavan’ month has caused bitter reactions from many pro Hindu organisations here. While VHP has termed it part of Samajwadi Party’s “appeasement policy” that allegedly favours a particular community, others including the Varun Gandhi Youth Brigade have called it an example of discrimination against Hindus.

During the current Hindu month that started from Wednesday , thousands of kanwars go to distant destinations to collect Gangajal to offer it to Lord Shiva after completing extensive

journeys on foot. They play devotional music on the way.

Unlike previous occasions, the police administration in Pilibhit has imposed restrictions on playing loud music. As per theadditional superintendent of police, VK Vaidya, the DJ music systems of more than 200 shops selling them in the districthave been deposited at the respective police stations.

In case of any order for the installation of the music system at any event, the shopkeepers are to collect the devices from the police station and to re- deposit them after the event. The mechanism is in place to ensure some control over the use of the devices. Shopkeepers, however, are calling it a dictatorship of the police.

Ghaziabad-based national general secretary of Varun Gandhi Youth Brigade, Ashwani Agrawal, said, “Samajwadi Party’s government is discriminating between two communities and neglecting the feelings of Hindus. Restrictions on playing DJ music by devotees is a breach of constitutional rights.”

He said that his organisation was framing strategies to confront the situation, which also includes seeking a stay order against the restriction from a court.

The VHP district president Deepak Agrawal said that knwars would not follow the restriction and that VHP was fully prepared to face the consequences of this.

ASP VK Vaidya said, “Kanwars have been allowed to play devotional music, but not at levels exceeding 75 decibels. This restriction has been imposed by the state police authorities across UP in order to maintain law and order.”



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