Pune: At least three Ganesh mandals from Sadashiv Peth played high-volume music near anti-noise activist Vidyanand Bapat’s Narayan Peth residence on Friday night. Some even displayed Bapat’s photographs and AI-generated visuals on digital screens during processions along Tilak Road.Bapat told TOI that noise rule enforcement should not be driven by personal vendettas. Instead, he called for stronger legal action and institutional accountability. He suggested even symbolic penalties for govt officials in whose jurisdictions violations occur, arguing that such measures would ensure official responsibility.“Noise regulations were strictly observed between midnight and 6am, showing that enforcement is possible when authorities choose to act,” he said, blaming legal loopholes and administrative discretion for recurring violations.Bapat also advocated nationwide uniform noise regulations, including round-the-clock restrictions, to ensure what he described as “pin-drop silence” for citizens across India.Referring to public processions that sometimes continue for over 30 hours, Bapat said public tolerance had been stretched beyond its limits and suggested that even extraordinary measures could be considered to curb persistent violations.On complaints about the use of Bapat’s photographs and AI-generated images during the processions, Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said police would examine Bapat’s objections. “If his sentiments have been hurt, necessary action will be taken,” Kumar said.
