Pune Ganeshotsav DJ Row: CM Fadnavis Urges Citizens to Celebrate Festival Culturally

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 31st August 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to citizens in Pune to avoid getting caught up in the ongoing controversy over DJs and sound systems during Ganeshotsav and instead celebrate the festival in a cultural manner.

The appeal comes amid a growing debate in Pune over the use of high-volume DJs during Ganeshotsav, with hundreds of citizens taking to the streets to oppose excessive noise and sound pollution.

Fadnavis said Pune has a rich cultural tradition associated with Ganeshotsav and urged citizens to preserve that legacy.

“The cultural tradition of Ganeshotsav in Pune is significant, and only Punekars have the ability to preserve it,” Fadnavis said, appealing to citizens to celebrate the festival in a manner that could serve as an example for the rest of Maharashtra.

Although the Chief Minister did not directly call for a ban on DJs, his appeal to stay away from the DJ controversy and celebrate Ganeshotsav culturally has been interpreted by some as an indirect message against excessive use of DJs and high-volume sound systems.

The issue has also triggered a debate among those who argue that “DJ is our culture”. Questions are now being raised over whether traditional forms such as dhol-tasha, other traditional musical instruments and cultural programmes should be given greater prominence during the festival.

The administration faces the challenge of balancing citizens’ concerns over noise pollution with the enthusiasm of Ganesh mandals and devotees during the festival.

Fadnavis had earlier directed the police to take strict action against violations of rules governing the use of DJs, loudspeakers and firecrackers during festivals.

With Ganeshotsav approaching, the debate over noise levels, traditional celebrations and the use of modern sound systems is expected to remain a key issue in Pune.