Pune: Hundreds of city residents of all ages and backgrounds gathered on Sunday morning at Goodluck Chowk on FC Road, eschewing any umbrella banner other than their collective demand for a complete ban on the use of loud music systems during the upcoming Ganapati festival and Dahi Handi celebrations, in an effort to curb increasingly disturbing levels of noise pollution.Protesters, including senior citizens, young professionals, and children, brandished posters highlighting that over the years, the deafening volume at which music is played during festivities has been affecting people’s health. They raised slogans against the unchecked use of speaker systems during such celebrations.Against the backdrop of major festivals like Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav to be marked in Sept, concerns have been raised over noise pollution caused by mandals playing music at high volumes at their pandals, as well as on the visarjan (immersion) days for the latter festival. In support of a solution, residents unitedly voiced their opposition to the use of loud music systems, clarifying openly that their protest is not against the festivals, but against noise pollution.Participant Rajesh Mangire said, “The high volume of music systems can lead to hearing loss and increase the risk of heart-related ailments. It has affected the health of several people, especially senior citizens and patients admitted in hospitals. There is a need to take the issue seriously. We have come together in the interest of society and to create awareness.”“We do not oppose the celebration of festivals. They should be celebrated in a traditional and society-friendly manner, without distorting their essence. Politicians should not play with the sentiments of the public,” Mangire added, alluding to the support extended to the use of music systems during festivities by some netas.Another protester, Vikrant Patil, said, “There should be a total ban on high-volume speakers used during festivals. They harm health and are unbearable. What is the need to play music at such a high volume? Who benefits from it? Elected representatives should stand with ordinary citizens, who suffer the most. If local political leaders are obstructing the ban, higher authorities should issue orders and ensure their implementation through the district administration and police.”This shared sentiment was clear in many of the posters and placards held aloft at Sunday’s protest, bearing messages like: ‘Don’t protect supporters of noise, protect the public’, and ‘Respect our peace or lose our votes’.Dental surgeon Dr Pradeep Malegaonkar was another participant. He told TOI, “Loud music during festivities has become a nuisance. Festivals lose their charm due to the use of speaker systems. Such noise pollution should be completely banned. I cannot even operate my clinic in Sadashiv Peth during festivals due to nearby pandals blaring music.”Vaibhav Mule, another protester, said, “The anti-loud music system movement has been receiving a strong response among city residents. Apparently, some people in favour of such speaker systems even spread the rumour that today’s protest was not going to take place, ostensibly to reduce participation. However, a large number of people have still managed to gather here today and voice their opposition to use of loud music systems during festivities.”A protester, choosing anonymity, reiterated, “None of us are against Ganeshotsav or Dahi Handi. We believe in preserving our culture and want festivals to be celebrated peacefully. It is only necessary to stop the inconvenience caused to society by the deafening music produced by speaker systems.”The protest took place peacefully around the Kalakar Katta at the beginning of FC Road, from 10am till around 1pm. Police were deployed to oversee the proceedings and reported no major traffic issues during the rally.A senior police officer told TOI, “The protesters had submitted an application on Friday seeking permission to hold the protest at Goodluck Chowk. We gave them a notice on the same day asking them to protest peacefully. They had gathered for a cause, and their concerns are genuine.”
