Pune DJ Row Takes Violent Turn, Noise Critic Vidyanand Bapat Allegedly Attacked

Pune, 3rd September 2026: Narayan Peth resident Vidyanand Bapat, who has emerged as the face of a campaign against high-decibel DJ music and loudspeakers during Ganeshotsav, was allegedly attacked by an unidentified person while he was speaking to media personnel on Tilak Road on Thursday.

The alleged assault comes days after Bapat found himself at the centre of a heated controversy over his demand for curbs on DJs and loud sound systems during the festival.

Political leaders have also reacted to it with Congress, NCP(SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders raising concerns over it. MP Supriya Sule said that it was an unfortunate incident and raised concerns over the law and order situation in the city.

Congress leader Prashant Jagtap said that Bapat was raising the voice of common Punekars and the attack was not justified.

Bapat had attended a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) meeting convened to discuss preparations for Ganeshotsav, where he raised objections to the use of DJs and high-decibel loudspeakers. His intervention triggered a heated exchange with representatives of Ganesh mandals, following which police personnel escorted him out of the meeting amid protests and heckling.

The episode subsequently brought Bapat into the spotlight, with videos of the confrontation circulating widely on social media. He later continued to publicly press for stricter enforcement of noise norms, insisting that his objection was not to Ganeshotsav or religious celebrations but to excessive noise and the use of amplified sound in public spaces.

His campaign has since gathered support from sections of citizens. A group of activists also organised a protest on FC Road last week, demanding action against noise pollution and enforcement of prescribed sound limits.

On Tuesday, Bapat and other activists addressed a press conference as part of the ‘Karnakarkash Speaker-mukt Pune Kruti Samiti’, reiterating their demand for an end to excessive noise during festivals. Bapat argued that religious freedom should not be interpreted as a licence to create excessive noise or obstruct public roads. He also suggested that amplified music and traditional instruments could instead be played in adequately soundproofed auditoriums.

Bapat has also opposed the use of public roads for large pandals and processions that disrupt traffic, arguing that festival celebrations should not come at the cost of other citizens’ rights.

The controversy surrounding him has intensified in recent days. While some Ganesh mandal workers have opposed his blanket demand for a ban on DJs, Bapat has maintained that he is seeking enforcement of existing noise regulations rather than opposing the festival itself. His remarks on tradition and noise pollution have also drawn criticism from some quarters, while others have rallied behind his stand.

Bapat, who has been described in recent reports as a 37-year-old BPO professional and Narayan Peth resident, has said that his campaign is driven by concerns over noise pollution and its impact on residents, rather than any opposition to religious festivals.

The latest alleged attack has now added a new dimension to the controversy, raising questions over whether a civic dispute over noise pollution is turning into a confrontation on the streets of Pune. Police are expected to investigate the incident and identify the attacker.