No DJs, no immersion: Pune Ganesh mandals

Pune: Nearly 80 Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals have threatened not to carry out the immersion of Ganesh idols on Sunday if high-tech sound systems are not allowed in processions. More than 80 mandals on Saturday held a press conference in Pune to announce their decision and demand a revocation of the ban.

Representatives of the mandals claimed that the festivals of Hindus are being targeted under the guise of noise pollution control and demanded that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis intervene in the matter to provide them relief.

“The state government’s affidavit supports the ban on high-tech sound systems. This has led to the high court decision continuing the ban. Mr Fadnavis should now intervene and take measures to allow us to use such sound systems,” a representative said.

Defending the ban on the use of DJ and high-decibel audio systems, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday told the Bombay high court through its affidavit that such sound systems could not be allowed during Ganeshotsav and Navratri. The high court on Thursday rejected the petition filed by the Professional Audio and Lighting Associatio-n challenging the ban.

Meanwhile, the MNS has supported Gane-sh mandals’ demand. “If speakers and DJs are not allowed to play in the procession, mandals will not immerse their Ganpati. Why are only Hindu festivals being targeted?” said MNS women’s cell city president Rupali Patil. MNS chief Raj Thackeray, after a meeting with DJ system operators on Thursday, has extended his support to them.