Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Pune Activist Attacked During Campaign Against Festival Noise
Vidyanand Bapat has been campaigning against very loud DJs and loudspeakers at festivals in Pune.
He says his campaign is about excessive noise, not against Ganeshotsav or any religion.
On Thursday morning, a man allegedly slapped him while he was talking to journalists.
A video recorded the incident.
Police took Bapat away in a van and began investigating.
One report said police detained a man named Santosh Chavan, but other reports said officers were still identifying the attacker.
People disagree about the campaign.
Some festival groups want fewer restrictions, while others support limits on noise and the number of instruments.
Vidyanand Bapat was allegedly slapped or assaulted while speaking to media during a feedback drive on Tilak Road, Pune.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday, with video footage showing at least one man approaching and slapping Bapat.
Police escorted Bapat away and said they were investigating; one report said Santosh Chavan was detained, while others said the attacker’s identity was still being verified.
Bapat wants restrictions on DJs and high-volume loudspeakers during festivals, arguing that excessive noise harms residents’ health and well-being.
The campaign has divided opinion, with some Ganpati groups opposing broad restrictions and others supporting limits on instruments and sound levels.
- Who
- Vidyanand Bapat, a 37-year-old Pune-based activist and BPO professional, was allegedly attacked; police identified or detained Santosh Chavan in one account, while other reports described the attacker as unidentified.
- What
- Bapat was allegedly slapped or assaulted while speaking to media during a public feedback drive about DJs and loudspeakers.
- When
- Around 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 3.
- Where
- Kashale Chowk on Tilak Road in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The incident occurred amid controversy over Bapat’s campaign seeking restrictions on high-decibel DJs and loudspeakers, although the attacker’s motive had not been established.
Noise-control advocates
Festival tradition advocates
DJs and loudspeakers
Noise-control advocates
Bapat and other campaigners say high-decibel sound systems inconvenience residents and affect health and well-being, and they seek strict limits or bans in public spaces.
Festival tradition advocates
Some Ganpati mandal representatives argue that festival celebrations should not face broad restrictions, particularly when other public events may not face comparable curbs.
Dhol Tasha performances
Noise-control advocates
Bapat argues that loud Dhol Tasha groups should be restricted or moved to enclosed places because decibel limits may be difficult to enforce in public spaces.
Festival tradition advocates
Deepak Marne of Babu Genu Ganpati trust said Dhol Tasha is a tradition, but supported reducing the number of instruments and imposing noise limits.
Scope of restrictions
Noise-control advocates
Bapat says similar rules should apply to loud sound systems at religious programmes, political rallies and processions, not only at Ganeshotsav.
Festival tradition advocates
Some festival representatives object to restrictions they view as unequal, while the reports do not provide a detailed public statement from the alleged attacker.
- Person involved
- Vidyanand Bapat, 37, works at a BPO firm and lives in Pune’s Narayan Peth area.
- Reported incident
- Video footage shows a man approaching Bapat and allegedly slapping him while he spoke to media personnel.
- Location
- Kashale Chowk, Tilak Road, Pune.
- Police response
- Police escorted Bapat away in a van and said statements were being recorded and further footage gathered.
- Detention report
- PTI reported that police detained Santosh Chavan, while other reports said the attacker’s identity and motive were still under investigation.
- Campaign demand
- Bapat has called for restrictions or a ban on DJs and high-volume loudspeakers during festivals, including Ganeshotsav.
- Public debate
- Some Ganpati mandal representatives opposed restrictions, while others supported limits on noise or the number of instruments.
Sources
Pune: Activist Seeking Ban On DJ Music And Loudspeakers Assaulted
Activist seeking ban on DJ music systems, loudspeakers publicly assaulted in Pune; attacker detained
WATCH: Vidyanand Bapat Severely Assaulted During Feedback Drive On Pune’s Tilak Road
Caught On Camera: Vidyanand Bapat Slapped While Speaking To Media In Pune
