Pune: Amol Palekar Backs Vidyanand Bapat’s Noise Pollution Campaign, Urges Civic Action

Pune, 28th September 2026: Veteran actor Amol Palekar has urged Pune residents to continue raising civic issues, saying Vidyanand Bapat’s campaign against noise pollution reflects citizens’ efforts to question and engage with the system.

Palekar was speaking at a felicitation programme organised by Madhurjag Pratishthan, Brights Society and Vicharvedh, where he praised Bapat for consistently raising concerns over noise pollution and advocating rationalist and atheist thought.

Bapat has been in the spotlight for opposing the use of DJs and loudspeakers during the Ganesh festival. Palekar said Bapat had responded to criticism with patience and reasoning and supported his arguments through detailed study, including references to Sanskrit verses.

Palekar said Bapat had received support from several Pune residents on the issue of noise pollution. He also highlighted Bapat’s efforts to raise civic and social issues affecting citizens.

Speaking at the event, Bapat said the right to live in peace was a fundamental right. He pointed out that Pune’s central peth areas, characterised by dense population, narrow roads and old settlement patterns, face greater challenges related to noise pollution and traffic congestion during festivals.

He also highlighted the presence of several study centres in the peth areas used by students preparing for competitive examinations, who require a relatively quiet environment for their studies.

Bapat said festivals should be celebrated while taking into account the daily lives and rights of other citizens.

Palekar also referred to issues such as waste management, potholes and water planning, saying these directly affect people’s daily lives. He urged citizens to remain engaged with civic issues and continue raising concerns through local initiatives.