Woman IAS officer in Madhya Pradesh questions loudspeakers at temples, sparks row

IAS officer Shailbala Martin has sparked debate by questioning the loudspeakers in temples in Madhya Pradesh, citing noise pollution and urging adherence to a 2022 order to remove them. Her tweets come amid ongoing concerns over amplified music, highlighted by a recent tragedy involving a 13-year-old boy in Bhopal.

Shailbala Martin (left) (Image credit : X/@MartinShailbala) BHOPAL : Additional secretary, govt of MP , Shailbala Martin, is again in the news for her tweets. This time, she has questioned the loudspeakers installed in temples . The woman IAS officer, on October 20, questioned on social media the loudspeakers installed in temples, which spread noise pollution through speakers far and wide in many streets.

These speakers, which keep playing till midnight, do not disturb anyone. In another post, she stated that the orders issued by the chief minister immediately after taking the oath included the removal of loudspeakers from all religious places and a ban on DJs. This was a very well-thought-out order.

If this order is followed and loudspeakers are removed from religious places of all communities and DJs are stopped, it will be a big relief for everyone. After assuming office in the Secretariat on December 13 last year, chief minister Mohan Yadav signed the first file regarding a decision to use sound amplifiers (loudspeakers/DJs) only as per the prescribed norms at any type of religious place or other places. The DJ issue remains in focus in Madhya Pradesh since a 13-year-old boy died while dancing to DJ music blaring from amplified speakers outside his home in Bhopal on October 14.

Shailbala Martin, posted as additional secretary in the general administration dept, remains in the news for her tweets. In August 2023, she stated on social media, “Jara sochiye Manipur ki Mahilaon ko kaisa mahsoos hua hoga,” after women MPs protested against alleged “indecent behaviour” by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi inside Parliament. Along with her tweet, she also posted the letter addressed to the Lok Sabha Speaker, signed by several women MPs, over Gandhi’s behaviour in the House.

After participating in the debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi allegedly blew a flying kiss, drawing sharp reactions from the treasury benches, with the then Union minister Smriti Irani calling him misogynist and saying the House had never witnessed such an “indecent act.”.