There Is No Fun Without DJs, Says BJP-Nominated CorporatorNagpur: City police’s decision to ban DJ systems during the festive period, from Thursday night till Nov 1, has triggered an unusual political divide within BJP, with Central Nagpur MLA and former mayor Pravin Datke questioning the timing of the restriction while former mayor and former MLC Sandip Joshi backing the move.Meanwhile, Dahi Handi organisers have openly indicated that they may go ahead with DJs despite the police notification.The police clarified that permission has been granted for 82 Dahi Handi events, 24 large processions, 18 religious processions and 12 programmes organised by temples and religious organisations across the commissionerate. The number could increase, police said.BJP-nominated corporator Subodh Acharya said the Dahi Handi competition at Badkas Chowk on Friday would have DJs despite the ban. Women’s Dahi Handi will be from 4pm, followed by men’s from 7pm. “We have made advance payments. There is no fun in Dahi Handi without DJs,” Acharya said. He also questioned why similar restrictions were not imposed uniformly across festivals.Parshu Thakur, husband of BJP corporator and NMC fire committee chairperson Rupali Thakur, echoed the concerns. A Dahi Handi is planned at Sharda Chowk, Old Subhedar Layout, on Sept 5. Thakur said the organisers have already paid 75% of the Rs1.5 lakh DJ charges in advance. “Preparations begin 15 days prior to the event,” Thakur said, questioning how organisers would recover the money if the DJ ban was enforced.Datke questioned whether it’s selective enforcement. “I have no objection to banning DJs. But why does it happen only in case of Hindu festivals?” he asked.The Nagpur Central MLA argued that if DJs cause noise pollution, the restriction should apply throughout the year “rather than being brought in just ahead of major Hindu festivals”.Datke also pointed to the recent use of DJs during other religious events and demanded that police review the policy immediately, saying restrictions should be based on decibel levels rather than the festival involved. He also pointed out that the ban should be announced from January 1 to Dec 31 instead.Joshi’s support for the ban, however, presents a contrasting position within BJP, making the DJ controversy an unusual intra-party debate even before the Dahi Handi festivities begin.BOXDon’t give communal colour: Former MLC JoshiFormer Nagpur mayor Sandip Joshi denied allegations from certain sections that only Hindu festivals were being targeted. “Why is everyone giving it a communal colour? If we had started this during Eid, again the religion angle would have been raised. What I am saying is that we must start from our homes, let us begin with ourselves and then everyone takes it forward,” said Joshi. However, Joshi made a clear distinction between his appeal and the notification issued by Nagpur city police commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil, banning use of DJ and laser light till November 1.“This ban should be throughout the year and not just for two months. But I believe, the 60-day ban period is connected to a rule which restricts the duration for which such bans can be imposed by police,” said Joshi.The former MLC also questioned the implementation of existing rules. “We see huge DJ setups on vehicles. How are they getting the permission? The RTO is responsible for implementing the rules, but it seems their interest is in something else,” said Joshi.
