3 hrs ago
Pune Activist Vidyanand Bapat Allegedly Attacked During Festival Noise Campaign
Vidyanand Bapat has been campaigning against very loud DJs and loudspeakers at festivals in Pune.
He says his concern is excessive noise, not Ganeshotsav or any religion.
On Thursday, someone allegedly slapped him while he was speaking with journalists.
A video recorded part of what happened.
Reports differ on whether only one person attacked him or whether about four people were involved.
Police took Bapat away in a van to protect him.
Officers said they were collecting more video and trying to identify the attacker.
The reason for the attack and whether a formal case was filed were not confirmed.
Some festival groups want fewer restrictions, while others support limits on noise.
Vidyanand Bapat was allegedly slapped or assaulted while speaking to media at Kashale Chowk on Tilak Road, Pune.
The incident occurred Thursday morning during a public feedback drive about loudspeakers and DJs at festivals.
Video footage shows one man approaching Bapat and slapping him; another report said about four people were present.
Police escorted Bapat away for his safety, while officers said they were investigating and trying to identify the attacker.
Bapat’s campaign seeks limits on excessive festival noise, while some Ganpati organizers support restrictions and others oppose broad bans.
- Who
- Vidyanand Bapat, a 37-year-old BPO professional and noise-control campaigner, was allegedly attacked by one or more unidentified people.
- What
- Bapat was allegedly slapped or assaulted while giving a media interview during a feedback drive about festival sound systems.
- Where
- Kashale Chowk on Tilak Road in Pune, Maharashtra.
- When
- Thursday morning; the exact date was not provided in the reports.
- Why
- The reported confrontation occurred amid debate over Bapat’s campaign seeking restrictions on DJs and high-volume loudspeakers, although police had not established the attacker’s motive.
Noise-control advocates
Festival sound-system supporters
DJs and loudspeakers
Noise-control advocates
Bapat and other noise-control advocates argue that high-decibel DJs and loudspeakers inconvenience residents and affect citizens’ health and well-being. They seek strict limits or bans in public spaces.
Festival sound-system supporters
Representatives of some Ganpati mandals argued that there should be no restrictions on festival celebrations. The reports do not provide a detailed statement from the person who allegedly attacked Bapat.
Traditional instruments
Noise-control advocates
Bapat argues that loud sound systems, including Dhol Tasha groups, should be restricted or used in enclosed places to reduce noise pollution.
Festival sound-system supporters
Deepak Marne of Babu Genu Ganpati trust said Dhol Tasha is a tradition and should not necessarily be opposed, but suggested reducing the number of instruments and imposing noise limits.
Scope of the rules
Noise-control advocates
Bapat says similar restrictions should apply to loud sound systems at religious programs, political rallies and processions, not only Ganeshotsav.
Festival sound-system supporters
Some Ganpati mandal representatives said festival-related restrictions appeared unequal because other public events did not face comparable curbs.
Key facts
- Person involved
- Vidyanand Bapat, 37, works at a BPO firm and lives in Pune’s Narayan Peth area.
- Reported incident
- A man was captured on video allegedly slapping Bapat while he spoke to media personnel.
- Location
- Kashale Chowk, Tilak Road, Pune.
- Police response
- Police escorted Bapat away in a van for his safety and began efforts to identify the attacker.
- Investigation status
- Police said they were gathering footage from different angles; the attacker’s identity, motive and any formal complaint were not confirmed.
- Campaign demand
- Bapat has called for restrictions or a ban on DJs and high-volume loudspeakers during festivals, especially Ganeshotsav.
- Wider debate
- Some Ganpati mandal representatives opposed restrictions, while others supported limits on instruments or noise levels.
Quotes
Krushikesh Rawale
Deputy Commissioner of Police investigating the attack on Bapat
“Decibel limits can never be followed if you allow loudspeakers or Dhol Tasha in public spaces. They should be played in an enclosed place, such as an auditorium.”
indianexpress.com
“We have never used DJs. I don’t feel dhol tasha should be opposed because it is our tradition. There can be restrictions on the number of instruments.”
indianexpress.com
A police officer
A police officer involved in the response to the alleged assault
“We are trying to identify the attacker. For his safety, Bapat was escorted in a van.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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