Pune: CM Fadnavis Backs Traditional Ganeshotsav, Says DJ Culture Must be Curbed
Pune, 4th September 2026: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said Ganeshotsav in Pune should be celebrated in a traditional manner with minimum noise pollution, and indicated that the use of DJs during the festival would have to be curtailed through public participation.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the bhoomipujan ceremony for the Bajaj Finserv headquarters, Fadnavis said festivals and celebrations should be observed by following traditional practices as far as possible. He said some practices, such as the use of DJs, had continued for years and their prevalence would have to be reduced with the participation of citizens.
“Some practices have continued for years. Their prevalence will have to be reduced through public participation. Until then, Ganeshotsav should be celebrated in a traditional manner with minimum noise pollution,” he said.
Fadnavis said merely enforcing the law was not the appropriate way to discontinue practices that had become part of festivals over the years. “A solution has to be found by taking people into confidence and holding discussions with them. In this regard, the Pune police commissioner has held discussions with all stakeholders involved in Ganeshotsav, and there has been agreement on several issues. A suitable solution will emerge from these discussions,” he said.
The chief minister said DJs cause considerable inconvenience to citizens and produce extremely high levels of sound. “DJs cause a lot of trouble to people. They create a sound that feels like an earthquake. Everyone agrees that such things should not happen,” he said.
He added that Pune had already taken steps towards celebrating Ganeshotsav in a more traditional manner. “In the coming period, we will see the prevalence of DJs reduced or possibly eliminated. Ganeshotsav will have to be celebrated traditionally or with minimum noise pollution,” Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis’s remarks come amid a growing row over noise pollution during Ganeshotsav, with Narayan Peth resident Vidyanand Bapat demanding an end to the use of DJs and dhol-tasha that cause noise pollution during the festival. Bapat’s stand has faced opposition from several Ganesh mandals, including those backed by the ruling BJP.
Bapat was assaulted in the Tilak Road area on Thursday (Sept 3), triggering angry reactions across the state. Following the incident, a march in support of Bapat and demanding a “DJ-free” Ganeshotsav is scheduled to be taken out to the Pune Municipal Corporation on Sunday.
