Nagpur: Dahi Handi celebrations continued on Saturday under close monitoring for compliance with noise regulations and restrictions on high-decibel sound systems. Organisers largely adopted a middle path, continuing festivities with music but without heavy bass. Senior police officers remained present at venues to ensure the norms were followed.The Sharda Chowk Dahi Handi, now in its 21st year, did away with mega bass speakers for the first time and proceeded with conventional loudspeakers. “We have followed the party and CM Devendra Fadnavis’s directions. Everything is continuing except the bass,” organiser Parshu Thakur said.Thakur had earlier told TOI that organisers had already paid 75% of the `1.5 lakh DJ charges and questioned how the expenditure would be recovered if restrictions were imposed. Senior PI Anamika Mirzapure confirmed that the music was played within prescribed limits.At Manewada, where a BJYM event is scheduled on Sunday, organising committee member Kuldeep Mate said DJ music and speakers would be used within the permitted decibel limits. The approach aligns with the clarification emerging after the Badkas Chowk stand-off that DJs are not prohibited as long as banned high-capacity sound systems are not used and noise levels remain within permissible limits.At Laxmi Bhavan Square, West Nagpur BJYM has planned a DJ-free Dahi Handi on Sunday. The event, being organised under the guidance of ex-mayor Sandip Joshi, will feature bhajan jamming and dhol-tasha performances instead.Meanwhile, district collector Kumar Ashirwad said any decision on wider DJ restrictions would follow consultations with citizens, police and other stakeholders, while factoring in livelihoods linked to the business.
