Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Punekars March To PMC Seeking Ban On Festival DJs
People in Pune marched to ask officials to control very loud music at festivals.
They said DJs and other loud sound systems can disturb sleep and affect people’s health.
The protesters said they are not against Ganeshotsav or any religion.
They want the same noise rules to apply to every religious and political procession.
Their campaign grew after activist Vidyanand Bapat was assaulted while discussing the issue.
They also said citizens should be able to raise concerns without being attacked.
Some protesters want officials to inspect sound systems before events begin.
A lawyer said existing laws regulate noise, but a complete ban would need an official government order.
Punekars marched from Balgandharva Chowk to the Pune Municipal Corporation seeking strict action against excessive noise.
Protesters demanded a complete ban on DJ systems and restrictions on loudspeakers, plasma systems, pressure-mid systems and high-bass equipment during celebrations.
The campaign intensified after citizen activist Vidyanand Bapat was allegedly assaulted while speaking against high-decibel DJs.
Organisers said they support Ganeshotsav and all religions but want noise rules applied uniformly to religious and political processions.
Protesters called for preventive inspections and enforcement, while an advocate said a blanket ban would require a valid government order.
- Who
- Punekar residents and members of the Loudspeaker-Virodhi Punekar Manch, including activists and legal participants.
- What
- They marched to demand strict enforcement of noise rules and a complete ban on DJ systems during religious and public celebrations.
- When
- Sunday, days after Vidyanand Bapat was assaulted on September 3; Bapat had raised the issue at a PMC meeting on August 24.
- Where
- From Balgandharva Chowk to the Pune Municipal Corporation in Pune.
- Why
- Protesters said excessive noise threatens residents’ health, sleep and peace, and demanded uniform enforcement without violence or selective targeting.
Noise Restrictions And Enforcement
Festival Sound Systems And Legal Limits
Whether DJs should be banned
Noise Restrictions And Enforcement
Protesters demand a complete ban on DJ systems and other high-decibel equipment during religious and public celebrations to protect health, sleep and residents’ peace.
Festival Sound Systems And Legal Limits
The article does not quote DJ users or festival organisers opposing the ban; it notes that any blanket prohibition would require a valid government order.
How authorities should respond
Noise Restrictions And Enforcement
Protesters want police and civic officials to inspect sound systems beforehand and stop violations instead of waiting for complaints after noise begins.
Festival Sound Systems And Legal Limits
The legal position cited by Advocate Sujata Kulkarni supports regulation and enforcement of permissible noise limits, but not necessarily an immediate blanket ban without formal government authority.
Scope of enforcement
Noise Restrictions And Enforcement
Protesters want the same rules applied to every religious and political procession, without targeting any particular community or festival.
Festival Sound Systems And Legal Limits
No opposing community or festival position is provided in the article; the reported dispute concerns how uniformly and strictly existing rules should be enforced.
- Organising group
- Loudspeaker-Virodhi Punekar Manch
- March route
- Balgandharva Chowk to the Pune Municipal Corporation
- Main demand
- A complete ban on DJ systems during religious and public celebrations
- Other equipment targeted
- Loudspeakers, plasma systems, pressure-mid systems and excessive bass systems
- Related incident
- Activist Vidyanand Bapat was assaulted on September 3 while speaking to the media
- Noise-rule night period
- Normally 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to Advocate Sujata Kulkarni
- Legal qualification
- A blanket prohibition would require an appropriate statutory or administrative government order