Pune | September 6, 2026
Residents marched in Pune on Sunday demanding a ban on DJs and loudspeakers during festivals, alleging that authorities had failed to control sound levels during the recent Dahi Handi celebrations and calling for stricter enforcement before Ganeshotsav.
The protest was organised by the Loudspeaker-Virodhi Punekar Manch, or Pune Citizens Against Loudspeakers Forum. Participants gathered near the Jhansi Rani Laxmibai Chowk on Jangli Maharaj Road before marching to the Pune Municipal Corporation building, according to a report by Loksatta – Pune.
Protesters carried placards and raised slogans including “Complete DJ ban must be implemented” and “Peace is our right”. They also demanded that loud, high-powered sound systems be prohibited during religious, political and community programmes, regardless of the organisers or occasion.
The demonstration followed opposition faced by social activist Vidyanand Bapat during a civic meeting while he was presenting a demand for restrictions on DJs during the Ganesh festival. Bapat was subsequently assaulted, according to the report, prompting the forum to call for a public protest against the incident and the continued use of amplified sound systems.
A memorandum was submitted on behalf of the protesters to Deputy Commissioner of Police Rawale and Joint Commissioner Anuja Deshmane. The memorandum called for preventive action against DJs before festival programmes begin, publication of the names and mobile numbers of responsible officials, and daily publication of real-time noise-level data and information about enforcement action on an official website.
The protesters also sought compensation for residents who suffer physical or mental harm because of excessive noise. Forum coordinator Mukund Kirdat said the group would not withdraw its demand for a DJ and loudspeaker ban. He questioned why restrictions could be imposed in Solapur, Mumbai and Nagpur but not in Pune.
Kirdat also criticised police handling of sound levels during the Dahi Handi celebrations. He said permission for systems described as “four bass and four tops” had been granted by the police commissioner, but argued that such equipment could raise decibel levels and violate noise-pollution control requirements. The claims were made by the protest organisers and were reported by Loksatta – Pune.
Participants included citizens, social workers, representatives of organisations and political party workers who joined the demonstration. The report said the protest was presented as non-political, although individuals associated with different political parties attended after setting aside their party affiliations.
Cardiologist Rahul Sawant, who participated in the campaign, said excessive sound and laser lights could affect the ears, heart and eyes. These health concerns were cited by the protesters as part of their demand for stronger controls on festival sound systems.
The organisers warned that residents would return to the streets if no decision was taken on their demands within a week. The next stated step is therefore a response from the police and civic authorities on preventive controls, public disclosure of noise data and enforcement arrangements ahead of upcoming festival programmes.
