Pune: Ahead of Ganesh Festival, citizen groups raise concern about Dhol Tasha practice, police promise action

On August 29, Ameet Singh, who leads the organisations Chalo PMC and Pune Samvad, filed an RTI with CMO Maharashtra about “measures taken by 1,168 police stations in Maharashtra to curb noise pollution under your government”, “plan to curb noise pollution in the upcoming festive season” and if the 36 state districts and all district collectors have taken special leave from court to make exceptions to the 10 pm to 6 am timings which have been declared noise free periods”, among others.

Speaking to The Indian Express on Monday, even as dhol tasha practice resounds across the city, Singh said, “We have to start instilling some sensibility in people, and get them to understand that noise is not celebration.”

“About 20 years ago, we would have maybe 25 dhols at the most in a group. Now, you see people standing in rows playing at such a high volume in one place. People, including dhol tasha performers, are exposed to serious noise. There’s a risk of hearing damage and young people are going about without realising the harm they are causing to themselves and others,” he said.

Apart from dhol tasha sounds, Singh has pointed out the disturbance caused by loudspeakers, often arranged like a wall, which play raucous music that has little to do with religion. Singh has also written to Police Commissioner and District Collector Rajesh Deshmukh about “the phenomena of loudspeakers and DJ music that has gained currency among many Ganesh Mandals”. “I am informed that there are 3,300 Ganesh mandals. Pune’s road length is barely 3,000 km, which means you don’t have to travel too far to find clusters of them blaring loud music.