Noise is a class of sounds that are considered as unwanted.

In some situations, but not always, noise may adversely affect

the health and wellbeing of individuals or populations.
Since long agreed among experts, it is not possible to define
noise exclusively on the basis of physical parameters of sound.
Instead, it is common practice to define noise operationally as
audible acoustic energy that adversely affects, or may affect,
the physiological and psychological wellbeing of people.
Latin word nausea.
Sound which is undesirable by recipient.
Unwanted sound.
Noise is one of the undesirable outcomes of
technological development.
Invisible and insidious form of pollution.
It is measured in the unit of decibels and is
denoted by the dB.


Industrial and non industrial
Industry is the primary source of noise
pollution.
Non industrial sources like transportation,use
of amplifiers and loudspeakers.
Multifaceted and inter-related.
Impact on human beings but also on other
living and non living things.
physiological and psycological discomfort in
human beings.

The calcutta H.C. recognised the nuisance
created by noisy electric and air horns used in
buses and trucks and directed the transport
authorities to strictly enforce the provisions
of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Bengal
Motor Vehicle Rules which restricted the use
of loud and shrill horns.
The Kerala H.C. held that the fundamental
right to freedom of speech guaranteed under
art.19(1)(a) did not include the right to use a
loudspeaker. The Court held that apart from
the right to be let alone, freedom from aural
aggression, Art 21of the Constitution of India
guarantees freedom from tormenting sounds.
The Bombay H.C. declined to permit the use of
loudspeakers beyond 11.30 during the Ganesh
festival and Navarathri celebrations. The Court
held that nobody can object to Navarathri festival
and any festival for that matter. These festivals
can be enjoyed even without the use of
loudspeakers. The court pointed out that
religious ceremony nowhere provides that on
religious festival days loudspeaker is a must
without which festivals cannot be observed. The
court directed the state to protect silent suffers
like students, old, infirm and others who are not
interested.
The Calcutta H.C. held that, one can practice,
profess and propagate religion as guaranteed
under Art.25(1) of the constitution, but that is
not an absolute right and it cannot be said
that a citizen should be coerced to hear
anything which he does not like or which he
does not require.
Petitioner challenged the restriction on use of
loudspeakers imposed by the State between
9. p.m. and 7. a.m. as violative of freedom of
religion. The petitioner claimed that Azan
which was integral to Islam was required to
be called 5 times a day through
loudspeakers.
The Calcutta H.C. dismissed the petition
holding that the use of loudspeakers was a
technological development and was not a part
of Islam.
In this case, the use of musical instruments
for performing religious prayers by The
Church of God caused disturbance to the
neighborhood. The question put before the
Supreme Court were:-
In a country like India having multiple
religions and numerous communities or
sects, whether a particular community can
claim right to add to noise pollution on the
ground of religion?

undisputedly no religion prescribed that
prayers should be performed by disturbing
the peace of others. Nor does it preach that
they should be through voice amplifiers or
beating of drums. In our view, in a civilized
society in the name of religion activities
which disturb old or infirm persons, students
or children having their sleep in the early
hours or during day time or other persons
carrying on other activities cannot be
permitted..