Loud DJs cost two Ganesh mandals cases in Pimpri police action

Shirgaon-Parandwadi police have taken action against two Ganesh mandals for breaching public peace by playing DJ sound systems at high volume during the seventh-day immersion procession of Ganeshotsav in the Pimpri area. Cases have been registered against Jai Maharashtra Mitra Mandal of Chandkhed and Shivtej Mitra Mandal of Ozarde. Police say both mandals played loudspeaker systems louder than permitted during the immersion procession. In the action, police seized DJ sound systems, mixers, amplifiers and a vehicle.

As in previous years, Pimpri-Chinchwad police had already issued special instructions on noise pollution to maintain public peace and law and order during Ganeshotsav this year. All Ganesh mandals in the city were asked not to use high-volume DJ sound systems and to strictly follow the noise limits set by the Supreme Court and the High Court. Police later cracked down on mandals that ignored this appeal.

A total of 38 public Ganesh mandals immersed idols within the jurisdiction of Shirgaon-Parandwadi police station on the seventh day of Ganeshotsav. During the immersion procession, police noticed that the mandals from Chandkhed and Ozarde were playing loudspeaker systems louder than the prescribed limit. Police monitoring the procession initiated legal action against both mandals as soon as this came to their notice.

Senior Police Inspector Devendra Chavan of Shirgaon-Parandwadi police station said that while participating enthusiastically in the Ganesh immersion procession, it is necessary to follow noise limits and court directives. He gave a clear warning that those who breach public peace by playing DJs at high volume will face direct legal action without any prior warning. He also appealed to Ganesh mandals to cooperate with police and avoid noise pollution.

Separately, to reduce the nearly 30 to 32 hours the historic Pune Ganesh immersion procession takes, Pune police have this year decided to place restrictions on mandals joining the main immersion procession. Only mandals that have participated in the main procession for the last two years or more will be given entry this year as a special case. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said on Monday that a permanent policy decision on mandal participation will be taken from next year onward.