Pune activist opposing loudspeakers, DJs for Ganesh Chaturthi assaulted; one detained
Vidyanand Bapat, a city-based activist who has been campaigning against the use of high-decibel DJ systems and loudspeakers during festivals, was allegedly assaulted by a man in Pune on Thursday, police said.
The incident took place around 11 am in the Tilak Road area when Bapat was speaking to media persons. The alleged attacker, identified as Santosh Chavan, was later detained by police.
A video of the incident showed a man slapping Bapat while he was speaking to reporters on the road. Police reached the spot following the attack and escorted Bapat away in a police van.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said Chavan had been detained and statements were being recorded.
“The man (attacker) has been detained. We are recording statements. Strict action will be taken against those responsible for the incident,” Kumar said.
Bapat has been vocal against loud music and DJs during festivals, including the upcoming 10-day Ganesh festival, arguing that excessive noise causes inconvenience to residents and affects their health and well-being.
He came into prominence after attending a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) preparatory meeting for the Ganesh festival, where he sought a complete ban on amplified DJ music and high-volume speakers.
His demand led to a confrontation with representatives of local Ganesh mandals, following which police personnel escorted him out of the civic body's building amid protests and heckling. Videos of the confrontation later circulated widely on social media.
Bapat's campaign against high-decibel sound systems has since emerged as a wider civic issue in Maharashtra, with supporters backing his demand for restrictions on loud music during festivals.
The Ganesh festival is scheduled to begin on September 14.
