Pune Noise Pollution Row: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Meets Activist Vidyanand Bapat, Offers Legal Support
Pune, 15th September 2026: A delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Monday met Pune activist Vidyanand Bapat, who has been campaigning against the use of loud DJ music and high-decibel sound systems during public festivals, and expressed support for his efforts to address noise pollution.
The delegation also offered legal assistance to Bapat, if required, and discussed the challenges he has faced over his campaign. JIH representatives said Bapat was facing social opposition for his stand against DJ music and described his campaign as an effort aimed at addressing a civic issue.
The delegation comprised Arshad Shaikh, Secretary, Media, JIH Maharashtra, and Mohammed Shoeb, Secretary, PR, JIH Pune, Maharashtra. The representatives also introduced Bapat to the organisation and its activities.
Bapat appreciated the efforts of JIH Karnataka and a local JIH unit for submitting applications to the administration ahead of the festival, seeking restrictions on the use of DJ music.
Bapat’s campaign against high-decibel music
Bapat from Ratnagiri, a 37-year-old BPO professional based in Narayan Peth, has been campaigning against high-decibel music at public festivals in Pune. The issue gained wider attention after he attended a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) preparatory meeting for Ganeshotsav on August 24.
At the meeting, attended by representatives of several Ganesh mandals, Bapat called for restrictions on DJs, amplified loudspeakers and dhol-tasha processions, citing noise pollution, traffic disruption and inconvenience to residents.
Bapat has maintained that he is not opposed to Ganeshotsav or religious celebrations, but objects to excessive noise in public spaces. He has suggested that people who want to use loud music should do so in enclosed and soundproof venues without disturbing residents.
His intervention at the PMC meeting led to a confrontation, following which police escorted him from the venue. A video of the incident subsequently circulated widely on social media.
Assault during campaign
On September 3, Bapat was allegedly assaulted while speaking to the media on Tilak Road. Police arrested Santosh Chavan, a former president of a local Ganesh mandal, in connection with the incident and provided security to Bapat.
The incident drew condemnation from several quarters, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said that people should not take the law into their own hands.
Bapat has said that the incident has strengthened his resolve to continue his campaign. He has argued that noise pollution should not be justified in the name of tradition and has called for stricter enforcement of existing noise pollution regulations.
The campaign has received support from some members of the public, political leaders and cultural figures, while certain Ganesh mandals and Hindu organisations have opposed his stand.
Bapat has also maintained that his demand applies to noise pollution during public festivals irrespective of religion. He has approached elected representatives, the Chief Minister’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office on the issue.
The meeting with the JIH delegation comes amid the ongoing debate in Pune over the use of high-decibel sound systems during Ganeshotsav and the balance between public celebrations and residents’ right to a peaceful environment.
