Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday that the state government is actively seeking to build consensus on limiting the use of high-decibel DJ systems during festivals. This initiative aims to encourage a return to traditional celebration methods, prioritizing community harmony and environmental considerations.
Mumbai: The debate over use of DJs during festivals, especially Ganeshotsav, in Maharashtra, intensified on Sunday with Shiv Sena’s Yogesh Kadam, minister of state in the home department, saying “sound” during Hindu festivals will not stop, and his cabinet colleagues Sanjay Shirsat (also of Sena) and Meghana Bordikar (BJP) striking a different note by making a strong pitch against use of DJ sound systems. State culture minister Ashish Shelar on Sunday backed what CM Devendra Fadnavis had said on Friday, saying it is for the local administration and residents to stop use of DJs.
Naresh Dahibavkar, president of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, said it is a mix of decisions and actions by NGOs and authorities that have ensured nearly 80% of DJ music and laser lights being replaced with traditional instruments.
Fadnavis had said that the state government was working to build a consensus on restricting the use of high-decibel DJ systems during festivals and called for a return to traditional ways of celebrating. Kadam said that sound during Hindu festivals would not stop. Echoing her concerns, Shirsat said that the administration in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and police will strictly enforce noise regulations, urging organisers to celebrate with traditional music instead of DJs.
“Festivals are not celebrated like this (without sound). Minister of state for health Bordikar and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district guardian minister Shirsat stressed the importance of adhering to noise pollution norms. This is the stand of Shiv Sena and the government,” he said at a dahi handi event on Saturday. “I said this firmly in Pune on Friday, and I am saying this in Mumbai.