Pune DJ ban row: Maha Vikas Aghadi opposes loud music, ruling BJP yet to take stand

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and other opposition parties in Maharashtra have clearly expressed their opposition to "obnoxious" DJs during festivals, while the ruling BJP has shown indecision on the matter. A rally is being organized by the Anti-Loudspeaker Pune Citizens' Forum on September 6 to protest against the use of loud DJ music.

The rally will march from Balgandharva Chowk to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) headquarters. Mukund Kirdat, city president of the Aam Aadmi Party, appealed to Pune residents to join the march regardless of their political affiliations. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the need to curb noise pollution but did not commit to banning DJs during the Ganesh festival.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut stated that the party supports Bapat's stance on the issue. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule criticized the Fadnavis government for failing to take a clear stand on noise pollution and urged the implementation of Supreme Court guidelines regarding sound limits and decibel levels during festivals.

Congress Pune city president Prashant Jagtap argued that the city's 125-year-old Ganeshotsav tradition should be celebrated with traditional instruments instead of pollution-causing DJ music. BJP state spokesperson Navnath Ban said the party's stance is to follow public sentiment on the issue, while Medha Kulkarni, a Rajya Sabha MP from the BJP, strongly opposed the use of DJ music during festivals, stating that celebrations should be disciplined and decent.