This comes even as local party leaders openly vow to defy the restrictions imposed by the administration. Pune resident Vidyanand Bapat has been clamouring for a ban on DJs during Ganesh Utsav and other festivals in Pune, claiming that the high-decibel levels are inconveniencing locals.
On Thursday, Bapat was assaulted in public by an irate member of a Ganesh Utsav mandal, an incident that drew condemnation from across the political spectrum. Pawar said, “Festivals should bring joy. What Bapat is saying about noise pollution has some substance to it. In a democracy, beating up someone for his views is wrong.”
Fadnavis has vowed strong action against Bapat’s attacker. “Everyone has the right to express their opinion. Attacking someone for expressing their views is not right,” said the CM.
While the rest of Maharashtra debates the ban, several cities have cracked down on the use of DJs. Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil has announced a ban on DJs during the Janmashtami celebrations, with Nagpur BJP president Dayashankar Tiwari vowing to violate the ban.
VHP, which until last year had been vociferously demanding a ban on DJs during Hindu festivals, has now taken an about-turn, with local VHP leader Amol Thakre questioning why only Hindu festivals are being targeted.
Meanwhile, Solapur Police Commissioner M Rajkumar has also banned DJs, Dolby systems and powerful laser lights. Similar bans have also been imposed in Bhandara and Sangli.
