Why has the demand for DJ and loudspeaker ban intensified in Pune? | Explained

The story so far: A ban on DJs and loudspeakers has taken centre stage in Maharashtra’s Pune district, as thousands of Punekars took to the streets, demanding a complete ban on playing DJs during festivals and annual celebrations and criticising the government’s inaction to curb noise pollution. .Punekars Against Loudspeakers Forum (PALF) organised the protest. On the other hand, Pune-based activist Vidyanand Bapat has been opposing the DJs.During the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) preparatory meeting for the upcoming 10-day Ganeshotsav festival, he called for a ban on loudspeakers and DJs over noise pollution, sparking controversy in Pune. He was later assaulted on September 3, allegedly over the same issue, by an unidentified man who was subsequently arrested by police.The demand has also triggered a political conversation as BJP Minister of State Meghna Sakore-Bordikar extended her support to curb loud DJs, as last year she lost her cousin due to loud noise, while another Mahayuti Minister Yogesh Kadam said, “the sound will go on.”Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called for controlling the use of excessive DJ noise and at the same time asked for public participation and awareness.Before the demand for a blanket ban on DJs and loudspeakers gained momentum in Pune, Maharashtra already had restrictions governing their use. However, residents and activists have repeatedly alleged that these norms are being violated, with the police accused of failing to enforce them effectively.Earlier, the Pune administration granted conditional relaxation for loudspeakers on 15 designated festival days in 2026. The loudspeakers can be played until midnight on approved days, including Shiv Jayanti (February 19), Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14), Maharashtra Day (May 1), Ganesh Chaturthi (September 19-25), and Eid-e-Milad – As per the lunar calendar (September). Why are people demanding a ban? People have extended their support to ban DJs for two reasons: one, purposely creating civic issues and adverse health impacts. Anti-noise pollution activist Vidyanand Bapat said, “Under the name of religion, purposely creating noise pollution, erecting mandals, encroaching on roads, and fabricating traffic chaos is not acceptable. Not raising these concerns means we are passively consenting to the civic problems. People are leaving town during festivals or avoiding visiting due to these festivals. The organisers have created a narrative that constructing mandals and celebrating with DJs and loudspeakers are part of our culture and traditions.” The health concerns emerging due to high decibels generated from loud DJ beats and loudspeakers are causing noise pollution and nuisance in public. The noise pollution particularly affects children, elderly individuals, and those with medical conditions.For instance, in August last year, a 27-year-old man in Solapur district died after being exposed to loud DJ music. According to the doctor who treated him, he suffered a cardiac arrest due to extreme noise levels and physical exertion. In another incident, Ms. Bordikar attributed the death of her 30-year-old cousin, Sandeep Kadam, to the effects of loud DJ music, saying he experienced a rapid heartbeat and dizziness before his deathWhat are the existing rules?The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 prescribe zone-wise permissible noise limits. In residential areas, the limit is 55 decibels (dB) during the day and 45 dB at night, while commercial areas have limits of 65 dB during the day and 55 dB at night. However, noise levels during festivals, particularly Ganeshotsav, can exceed 100 dB.According to a 2023 sound study by the College of Engineering Pune Technological University (COEP), Pune’s Laxmi Road area recorded an average noise level of 105.2 dB on the final day of Ganeshotsav, far exceeding the permissible daytime limit of 55 dB for residential areas. The findings were also cited as a reference in Dr Kalyani Mandke’s petition before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).The author of the research, assistant professor Mahesh Shindikar, conducted a study to know the pattern of sound levels along the 25 important crossroads in Pune. In his study, he suggested that exposure to such noise can create psychological effects, causing irritability and aggression.The petition filed in August 2024, suggested max two speakers (80–100 watts each) per mandal, extra speakers only in special cases, spaced 20 feet apart, close monitoring of bass levels, a mandatory 15-minute break every hour of music, max two Dhol-Tasha units per mandal, capped at 25 players per unit (due to harmful low-frequency vibration), and public release of MPCB’s noise-monitoring data collected during Ganeshotsav from 2021–2023.Maharashtra has long had laws regulating noise pollution. The Central Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 provide the basic framework, prescribing zone-wise decibel limits for industrial, commercial, residential and silence areas. They also prohibit the use of loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., while allowing their use until midnight on up to 15 days a year to accommodate festivals. However, these 15-day exemptions have become controversial, with concerns that noise levels during festive celebrations often exceed permissible limits. In 2016, the Dr. Mahesh Vijay Bedekar v. State of Maharashtra case in the Bombay High Court highlighted the failure to implement the rules. The Court observed that “noise itself qualifies as an air pollutant” and ordered the setting of a toll-free complaint number (including 100 for the public). A similar discussion took place in Mumbai’s Nehru Nagar, Kurla (East), and Chunabhatti areas targeting noise pollution from Mosques and Madrasas. Bombay High Court observed noise as a “major health hazard” affecting public health. What is the gap in action?The violation can be prosecuted only by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) or the District Collector under the main environmental law. Under Sections 38 and 70 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, police have the authority to prevent loud music or noise, can act on receiving the complaint, stop and seize the loudspeaker or PA system, but cannot prosecute and convict, as per the Bedekar judgment (2016) and MPCB’s own affidavit in the 2024 NGT case.Section 19 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 gives authority to the MPCB officer / District Collector to prosecute and convict.Police can only prosecute after giving 60 days’ notice from the registration of the complaint, which MPCB does not require. So, after receiving complaint police report it to the MPCB or the Collector to immediately file the criminal case. In the recent controversy, Mr. Fadnavis has raised this structural bottleneck as one of the reasons for delayed action. The same was raised in a 2024 NGT case registered in Pune. While activists in Pune are demanding a ban on DJs, Nagpur, Solapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts have taken steps to ensure DJ-free Ganesh immersion processions. Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil has restricted the use of high-decibel DJ systems and loudspeakers from midnight on September 3 to November 1 under Section 163 of the BNSS.It includes bans on systems generating excessive vibration. Vehicles fitted with DJ sound systems, bass multi-speaker rigs, plasma sound systems, and pressure-horn-based systems during processions are restricted.Pune has implemented several restrictions on plasma sound systems and pressure mids ahead of Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav, warning of equipment seizure and legal action. Solapur has banned high-decibel DJ systems, modified sound systems, and laser lights ahead of Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav.Last week, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asked MPCB to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks over unchecked noise pollution complaints.