Mumbai, Sep 8: Maharashtra Minister Madhuri Misal has pitched for a uniform ban on high-decibel DJ sound systems and “walls of speakers” during festivals, saying the upcoming Ganesh festival should be celebrated traditionally using local musical instruments.
Misal’s remarks have come amid a growing public campaign in Pune against loud sound systems, even as differing views emerge within the ruling BJP, with several party leaders saying DJs should be allowed during festive processions.
In a pre-recorded video released on Monday, Misal, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Urban Development, said, “We are 100 per cent opposed to playing DJs. Festivals should not be celebrated with loud DJ music that causes inconvenience to citizens, students and the elderly.”
She said Ganeshotsav, a traditional festival of Maharashtra, should be celebrated in the traditional manner using traditional musical instruments.
“There should be no walls of speakers or DJs at Ganeshotsav or any other festival. Traditional instruments should be used to celebrate festivals,” the BJP leader said, asserting that opposing DJs should not be equated with opposition to the festival.
In a democracy, some people express their views and say Ganeshotsav should be stopped, but stopping the festival, which is a tradition of Maharashtra, is not the solution, Misal said.
She cited the example of 32 Ganesh mandals in Pune that celebrated the recent Dahi Handi event without DJs, using traditional musical instruments instead.
Misal also called for the DJ ban to apply uniformly to all festivals held throughout the year, irrespective of religion.
“Our stand is against DJs. A ban should be implemented. All festivals celebrated throughout the year, irrespective of religion, should also have a DJ ban. The rule should apply equally to everyone,” she said.
Misal further said that Pune residents could set an example for the rest of Maharashtra during the Ganesh festival.
A group of Pune residents held a protest on Sunday demanding a complete ban on loudspeakers and similar equipment that cause noise pollution during religious, caste-based and political processions.
Protesters demanded that such sound systems be completely prohibited during festivals, public events and political processions. (PTI)
