Ganeshotsav 2026: Maharashtra ministers urge mandals to avoid DJs during festival, Yogesh Kadam says 'sound will go on'

Maharashtra Minister of State for Health Meghana Bordikar and district Guardian Minister Sanjay Shirsat on Sunday urged people to avoid using DJ sound systems during festivals citing concerns over noise pollution and public health reported the PTISpeaking to reporters Bordikar said festivals should be celebrated with enthusiasm but should not cause distress or health risks to othersBordikar said she had personally experienced the dangers associated with highdecibel DJ systems after her cousin died last yearldquoUnfortunately my cousin died because of a DJ system last yearrdquo she said adding that repeated appeals to people and guidelines issued by the Supreme Court had not always led to compliance the news agency reportedShe warned that excessive use of DJs could have serious and in some cases fatal consequencesShirsat warns of strict actionShirsat also opposed the use of DJs and highpowered loudspeakers during festivals He said the city administration and police would enforce noise regulations strictly and urged organisers to opt for traditional forms of music according to the PTIShirsat was speaking after chairing a preparatory meeting for the upcoming Ganesh festival While acknowledging that public opinion on DJ use was divided he said public health and safety should remain the priorityldquoAs far as our city is concerned we do not want DJ systemsrdquo Shirsat said warning that violators would face action under the lawHe said offenders could be fined and vehicles carrying DJ equipment could be seized He also appealed to Ganesh mandals to voluntarily avoid highdecibel sound systems rather than face enforcement actionAppeal for traditional celebrationsShirsat urged citizens to celebrate the Ganesh festival with enthusiasm while preserving its traditional characterHe said celebrations should also take into account the needs of children and elderly people allowing everyone to participate comfortably and experience the cultural significance of the festival as per the PTISound will go on KadamMaharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam on Sunday said that sound during Hindu festivals will not be stopped asserting that this is the position of both the state government and the Shiv Sena His remarks come amid a growing debate in the state over the use of highdecibel DJ systems during religious celebrations reported the PTIKadam Minister of State in the Home Department made the comments at a Dahi Handi event in Mumbai on SaturdayKadam said he had made his position clear in Pune a day earlier and reiterated it in MumbaiHe said Hindu festivals could not be celebrated without sound and claimed that stopping sound during such occasions was not the stand of the Shiv Sena or the state governmentHis remarks come as demands for restrictions on DJs and highpowered loudspeakers during festivals gain momentum across MaharashtraGrowing debate over highdecibel musicThe demand for festivals without DJs and highpowered loudspeakers has been gaining momentum across Maharashtra amid concerns over noise pollutionPunebased activist Vidyanand Bapat has emerged as one of the prominent voices opposing the use of highdecibel sound systems during festivals His campaign has added to the wider debate over balancing festive celebrations with public health noise regulations and the rights of residentswith PTI inputs