Hundreds of Pune residents have protested against the use of loud music and DJ systems during the upcoming Ganesh festival, citing health issues and noise pollution. Ganesh Mandals, however, claim selective targeting and have pledged to follow guidelines to reduce noise.
The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti has appealed to Ganesh mandals in Mumbai to ensure that immersion processions on the final day of the festival are free from noise pollution and inconvenience, citing the Bombay High Court's strict stance on decibel limits.
Ganesh mandals in Mumbai have requested the Maharashtra government to clarify the implementation of a recent Bombay High Court order on noise pollution during immersion processions. The order mandates a Rs 1 lakh security deposit and legal action for violations, causing confusion among organisers as the festival concludes.
Maharashtra ministers are divided over the use of high-decibel DJ systems during Hindu festivals. While Minister Yogesh Kadam asserts that festival sound will not be stopped, his colleagues Sanjay Shirsat and Meghana Bordikar advocate for adherence to noise pollution norms, with Bordikar citing a personal tragedy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also called for a return to traditional celebrations and a consensus on restricting DJ systems.
'Many devout religious people have told me categorically that they like celebrating festivals, but they are vehemently against the noise pollution and traffic obstruction that are being imposed under the pretext of celebrations.'
A seven-year-old girl in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, died after allegedly collapsing due to loud music from a Ganesh immersion procession. Two individuals, the DJ owner and operator, have been arrested, and a police officer suspended for negligence. The incident has led to a ban on DJs during upcoming festivals in the municipal area.
Vidyanand Bapat, a Pune-based activist advocating for a ban on high-decibel DJ systems and loudspeakers during festivals, was publicly assaulted by a man named Santosh Chavan while speaking to media persons.
The Bombay High Court has issued a complete ban on bursting firecrackers on public roads and deemed the use of loudspeakers, DJs, and laser beams during religious processions "unwarranted." The court emphasized that festivals must be celebrated without causing noise and air pollution, highlighting the need for strict enforcement of existing regulations.
Mumbai resonated with 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' chants and dhol-tasha beats as devotees immersed Ganesh idols on Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of the 12-day festival. Over 430 idols were immersed by noon, with no untoward incidents reported, as elaborate arrangements by police and BMC ensured smooth proceedings.
The Bombay high court said on Wednesday that if the use of loudspeakers and sound systems beyond permissible noise levels was harmful during the Ganesh festival then it also has the same effect during the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi processions.
In Pune, 31 prominent Ganapati mandals celebrated a "DJ-free" Dahi Handi, advocating for traditional instruments over high-decibel sound systems for upcoming festivals like Ganeshotsav. This initiative, led by Punit Balan, aims to preserve Maharashtra's cultural heritage and reduce noise pollution, gaining support from around 200 mandals and the Chief Minister.
Telugu actor Allu Sirish complained to Hyderabad Police about a temple playing loud music late at night, disturbing residents. He clarified his complaint was about civic sense, not religious devotion, after facing criticism from netizens.
The ban on loudspeakers between 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs stays.
A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan refused to give an early hearing to the petition filed by a Pune-based Ganesh mandal, which pleaded that noise level up to 40 decibels be allowed.
The people out on the streets dancing, and those who fall and get injured are from families that cannot afford to lose a day's wages, but often end up losing a limb or life, says N Suresh.
Loudspeakers cannot be used during the immersion of idols.
Since the allotted extra day could not be used during the Ganesha festival, it will be for Navratri.
Shifting positions on religiosity and Covid may confuse the Hindutva citizenry, but you can rely on Bengal to turn a non-arguable issue into a raging controversy, notes Kanika Datta.
'The mandals and politicians are trying to project that this is against somebody. We are not against anybody. We do not want the celebrations to stop. It has to happen, but do it in a civilized way.'
Ganesh Chaturthi no longer has the power that Lokmanya Tilak had seen in it way back in 1893 -- the power of bringing people together. This, say 83-year-old Vinaysheela Govilkar and 19-year-old Arnav Thakker, is the festival's biggest tragedy.
The Bombay high court on Friday permitted the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena to hold its annual Dussehra rally at the iconic Shivaji Park ground in central Mumbai on October 5.
Devotees across India on Thursday welcomed their most beloved and venerated deity -- Lord Ganesh -- into their homes and community pandals, kickstarting the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations with zeal and devotion.
The Kesari Ganesh Utsav marks the festival the way Lokmanya Tilak had envisioned it. Here's a peek into celebrations at this historic location in a feature first published in 2000 on Rediff.com.
Brands in India are finding newer, more innovative ways to engage with a wider audience during festivals. But they still have a long way to go before they match global campaigns.
'Noise pollution is a health issue, it is not a religious issue.'
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