The political debate over loud DJ systems during festivals in Maharashtra has intensified, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut demanding a state-wide ban on DJs and urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take a firm decision through the state cabinet.
The demand comes amid growing concerns over high-decibel music during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, particularly during processions and events in residential areas. The issue gained further attention after Pune-based activist Vidyanand Bapat, who had been campaigning against loud DJ systems and speakers during festivals, was allegedly assaulted on Thursday.
Raut said the campaign for restrictions on DJs was receiving increasing public support because excessive noise can affect people’s health, hearing and blood pressure.
“Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis should take the decision to ban DJs in Maharashtra in the state cabinet,” Raut said.
Raut Tells Fadnavis: Take Decision, Don’t Just Seek Consensus
Raut also questioned the Chief Minister’s approach of seeking consensus through dialogue before imposing restrictions.
He pointed to Fadnavis’s recent decision to give auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers additional time to learn Marathi, arguing that the Chief Minister had acted after discussions on that issue.
“Fadnavis took decision to give relief to auto-taxi drivers from learning Marathi by giving them one year period. He took the decision within meeting over the issue. Similarly CM Fadnavis should take decision in this matter instead of speaking about building consensus among people over the DJ ban,” Raut said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further questioned whether the same dialogue-based approach was being applied consistently on other contentious issues.
Raut referred to the ongoing hunger strike by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil and asked why the government was not holding a similar dialogue with him.
“Raut also pointed out that if Fadnavis believes in dialogue process so much, then why there is no dialogue with Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil who is on hunger strike for one week,” according to the statement.
Fadnavis Backs Traditional Festival Celebrations
The demand for a DJ ban comes shortly after Fadnavis spoke in favour of celebrating Ganeshotsav in a more traditional manner.
On Friday, the Chief Minister advocated restrictions on DJs and said festivals should be celebrated without excessive noise. He also called for dialogue and consensus among people on the issue.
The debate has expanded beyond Mumbai and Pune, with noise-control measures already being introduced in some parts of Maharashtra. Police in Nagpur have banned the use of loud music systems during festivals, citing concerns over noise pollution.
The controversy has also revived questions over how authorities should balance religious and cultural celebrations with public health, noise-control regulations and the rights of residents.
Pune Activist Assault Case Adds Fuel to DJ Ban Debate
The political controversy intensified after activist Vidyanand Bapat was allegedly attacked in Pune while opposing the use of high-volume DJ systems and loudspeakers during festivals.
A Pune court on Friday granted one-day police custody of Santosh Shankar Chavan, who was arrested in connection with the alleged assault on Bapat.
The incident has given fresh momentum to calls for stricter enforcement of noise regulations during festival celebrations.
With Ganesh Chaturthi festivities underway, the issue is now emerging as a larger political debate in Maharashtra, with Shiv Sena (UBT) pressing the Fadnavis government to move beyond appeals for consensus and introduce a clear state-wide policy on DJs.
