Dahi Handi celebrations at Badkas Square
Only three speakers are being used, and we have checked the decibel level too,” Nagpur DCP Rahul Madne said. Datke, under whose constituency Badkas Chowk comes, said, “Our stance is clear, DJs and laser lights should not be used anywhere. “I could talk to my buddies clearly, without having to bare my throat out,” said local Sandip Jain. MPCB regional head Hema Deshpande told TOI that as per protocol, police record the noise level and prepare a preliminary report. Only after that the official report from MPCB is admissible,” she said.
Nagpur: The daylong standoff between police and organisers of the dahi-handi at Badkas Chowk over playing DJ ended late in the evening when the music did start, but without the throbbing ‘bass’ sound. The evening festivities at the venue went ahead in the presence of senior cops who wanted to make sure there is no violation of the police commissioner’s order against noise pollution. Police were at the spot with a team which is monitoring noise pollution using proper equipment. “As of now, the music being played is below the maximum threshold. We have ensured the removal of the bass system. But if police use decibel levels as their yardstick, why issue circulars only around Hindu festivals and not for others? Locals welcomed the move by police, saying that for the first time in many years they were able to enjoy Dahi Handi without the deafening music. “Police then send us the noise sample and the report for archiving. Once that is done, these details are forwarded to our legal team for cross-checking.
On Thursday, city police issued a notification banning the use of loud music systems, but this came under attack by BJP MLA Pravin Datke who accused cops of being selective.