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Pune Resident Faces Attack After Challenging Festival Noise
Vidyanand Bapat is a Pune resident who is worried about very loud festival celebrations.
He says loudspeakers and big drums can disturb people who live nearby.
On September 3, someone slapped him while he was speaking to a television journalist.
The attacker accused him of speaking against Hindu festivals.
Bapat says he is not against the Ganesh festival itself.
He wants noisy performances held in enclosed or soundproof places.
Festival supporters say many people enjoy the performances and public celebrations cannot simply be moved indoors.
Bapat says the enjoyment of some people should not become a punishment for others.
Vidyanand Bapat was slapped during a September 3 television interview on Pune’s Tilak Road.
He had criticized loudspeakers, dhol tasha drums and traffic obstruction during Ganesh festival celebrations.
Bapat was escorted from an August 24 municipal meeting after his comments triggered an outcry from festival supporters.
He says celebrations should not punish nearby residents and supports holding amplified performances in enclosed or soundproof venues.
Bapat says citizens across Maharashtra and elsewhere have backed his campaign, which could develop into an organized movement.
- Who
- Pune resident Vidyanand Bapat, festival supporters and dhol tasha groups were involved in the dispute; an unnamed man attacked Bapat.
- What
- Bapat’s criticism of noise pollution and traffic obstruction during Ganesh festival celebrations led to public opposition and a physical attack.
- Where
- The attack occurred on Tilak Road in Pune; the earlier meeting was held by the Pune municipal corporation.
- When
- Bapat was attacked on September 3 after raising the issue at a municipal meeting on August 24.
- Why
- Bapat argues that loudspeakers and dhol tasha performances disturb nearby residents, while supporters defend them as valued public festival traditions.
Residents Seeking Noise Limits
Festival Supporters Defending Public Celebrations
Impact of festival noise
Residents Seeking Noise Limits
Bapat says the enjoyment of some people cannot become a punishment for residents living near celebrations.
Festival Supporters Defending Public Celebrations
Dhol tasha groups and festival supporters say many people enjoy the performances and only a smaller number are inconvenienced.
Where performances should occur
Residents Seeking Noise Limits
Bapat says drums and loudspeakers could be used inside enclosed or soundproof venues, with performances broadcast to others.
Festival Supporters Defending Public Celebrations
Supporters argue that a public festival cannot simply be celebrated inside an auditorium.
Majority and tradition
Residents Seeking Noise Limits
Bapat rejects the argument that popular support makes the disruption acceptable and says minority concerns should be addressed.
Festival Supporters Defending Public Celebrations
Festival supporters emphasize the public and popular nature of Ganesh celebrations and their traditional performances.
Key facts
- Person
- Vidyanand Bapat, a 37-year-old Pune resident
- Attack date
- September 3
- Earlier meeting
- August 24 municipal meeting on Ganesh festival preparations
- Main concern
- Noise pollution and traffic obstruction linked to public celebrations
- Proposed solution
- Hold amplified performances in enclosed or soundproof venues
- Support reported
- Bapat says citizens from Maharashtra and elsewhere in India have contacted him in support
- Legal notice claim
- Bapat says an alleged notice demanding an apology was not officially delivered
Quotes
Vidyanand Bapat
Pune resident and activist campaigning against noise pollution
“Festival enthusiasts should ensure their celebrations should not become a punishment for citizens who just happen to reside in the vicinity.”
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“That so-called notice is a joke. That is not a legal notice. We can shred it and throw it in the dustbin.”
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Sources
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