Ganesh mandals in Pune are divided over a citizen-led campaign calling for a noise-pollution-free festival, sparking a debate on the necessity of sound systems versus traditional drumming.
- A citizens' campaign led by activist Vidyanand Bapat demands a complete ban on DJs and noise-violating dhol-tasha troupes.
- Most mandals support the police cap of 'four bass and four top' speakers but oppose an outright ban.
- Mandal leaders argue that a shortage of traditional troupes makes sound systems a necessity.
- Technical experts suggest that high ambient city noise makes current decibel limits impractical.
Pune's Ganeshotsav is a massive cultural phenomenon, but it has recently become the center of a legal and social debate. A campaign spearheaded by activist Vidyanand Bapat is demanding that DJs and dhol-tasha pathaks (traditional drum troupes) that violate noise limits be removed from the streets to ensure a noise-pollution-free celebration.
The response from the city's mandals has been nuanced. Uday Mahale, president of the Shri Gurudatta Mitra Mandal in Shivajinagar, pointed out the logistical impossibility of relying solely on traditional troupes. Given the thousands of processions that occur, there simply aren't enough dhol-tasha groups to cover every mandal, leaving many with no choice but to use sound systems.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this friction highlights a growing gap between urban environmental standards and deep-rooted cultural practices. As Pune expands, the clash between the 'right to silence' for residents and the 'right to celebrate' for devotees is becoming more pronounced, requiring a systemic rather than a punitive approach.
Ganesh Ghosh Khandaalkar, BJP general secretary and president of the Shiv Darshan Mitra Mandal, emphasized that while they respect government norms, a sudden ban would be unacceptable to the volunteers. He argued that mandal members, who often act as first responders during disasters, should be allowed to celebrate within permitted limits.
“In most Indian public spaces, the ambient sound from traffic is already 93 to 112 decibels, meaning any added music instantly breaches safe limits.”
Adding a technical dimension to the debate, Aakash Sethi of A2K Audio & Aux suggested that noise enforcement is flawed. He argued that officials should measure noise at the complainant's location rather than just at the loudspeaker source to get a realistic picture of the impact.
A study by students from the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics revealed a geographical divide in musical preferences. While traditional Peth areas largely stick to dhol-tasha, newer areas like Kothrud and Shivajinagar have shifted significantly toward sound systems, despite a stated preference for tradition.
| Region | Preferred Music | Actual Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Peth Areas | Dhol-Tasha | High Adherence |
| Kothrud/Shivajinagar | Dhol-Tasha | Low Adherence (DJ usage high) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the current police limit on sound systems in Pune?
The Pune Police Commissioner has capped the configuration to four bass and four top speakers.
2. Why do some mandals insist on using DJs?
They cite a shortage of available traditional dhol-tasha troupes for the thousands of processions held annually.
