Pune DJ music ban demand: Residents rally against loud music, Bapat stays away

Protestors carried handmade placards and banners, displaying a level of spontaneous enthusiasm— reflecting the anger of adult residents. They demanded a complete ban on deafening sound systems across all religious, political, and caste-based commemorative events. Slogans such as “Turn off the noise, DJ—we swear it in the name of Pune!” resonated throughout the march.

However, Vidyanand Bapat, who first raised the issue during a Ganesh festival preparation meeting organised by the Pune Municipal Corporation and the police, gave the protest a miss. It was the second time in one week he skipped such a protest. When contacted, Bapat did not cite any reason for skipping the protest.

Mukund Kirdat, one of the architects of the protest, said they were demanding a ban on DJ music not just during Hindu festivals but also during festivals of other religions. “We are pressing for a complete ban on DJ music. It is dangerous for children, the elderly and the ailing,” Kirdat said.

At the conclusion of the rally, Kirdat handed a formal petition to Deputy Commissioner of Police Krushikesh Rawale and Joint Commissioner Anuja Deshmane.

Their key demands outlined in the memorandum included banning high-decibel DJ systems before festivities commence, publicly releasing the names and contact numbers of designated responsible officers, publishing real-time noise data and corresponding enforcement actions daily on the official website, providing financial compensation to victims for physical or mental harm caused by excessive noise exposure.

The forum emphasized that the ban must cover all religious, social, and political events—not just the Ganesh festival.

“The police have imposed a ban on sound system in Nagpur, Solapur, and Mumbai. Then why can’t police enforce it in Pune ? Both the Government and Pune police have remained indecisive. If decisive action is not taken within the coming week, citizens will be forced to take to the streets once again,” said Kirdat who is also the city president of AAP.

NCP(SP) leader Sunil Mane, who also participated in the protest as citizen, said, “There is unanimity among the educated population of Pune that DJ music should have no place in our festivals, religious events or anniversary celebrations. Not just Hindus but members of Muslim and Christian communities also joined the protest today and strongly demanded that DJ music should be banned from festivities. Neither the State government nor the police are taking firm against the use of ear-splitting sound systems. We condemn this inaction on their part.”

Activist Vishwambhar Choudhari said several BJP leaders are also in favour of a ban on the use of DJ music, but the party’s “DJ music-loving” city president Dheeraj Ghate is not listening to them.

“Whatever their personal feelings, most BJP leaders have opposed DJs –at least in principle,” Choudhari alleged.

Kirti Limaye, a resident of Padmavati said, “Our main demand includes ban on DJs and all other forms of sound system during every festivals and religious events. We are also demanding ban on playing ‘dhol-tasha.’ Dhol-tash can be allowed if it is played in a controlled manner.”

Neeta Kelkar, a resident of Sadashiv Peth, said, “We live in Pune’s peth area. We have suffered from sound pollution and traffic jam for years. During the last two days of Ganesh festival, our house becomes like jail. We cannot step out even for a moment. We urge the government and police to bring in discipline the festival by prioritising ban on playing loud music.”