Thane | September 6, 2026
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has called for rules governing the use of DJs and Dolby sound systems during festivals, questioning why celebrations in the state are increasingly associated with high-volume music.
Speaking at an MNS office-bearers’ meeting at Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane, Thackeray asked why festivals were not being celebrated in a traditional manner and said festival practices were changing under the influence of cultures from other states, according to a report by Loksatta.
“Why are we using Dolby and DJs during festivals? Why are festivals not being celebrated traditionally?” Thackeray was reported as saying. He also said there should be a framework setting out how festivals are to be celebrated.
His remarks come amid an ongoing debate over DJ use in Maharashtra. Referring to the controversy over DJ restrictions in Pune, Thackeray said DJ use had been prohibited in Nagpur while it continued in Maharashtra, and questioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the difference in approach.
The comments place festival sound levels within a wider discussion about public regulation, noise pollution and the enforcement of common rules across cities. The report did not specify a new policy announcement by the state government or provide details of any proposed regulatory framework.
During the meeting, Thackeray also raised other issues, including the reported availability of narcotics at paan stalls outside schools, forest loss and land acquisition. He said people whose land had been taken were not receiving jobs, and criticised political silence over the country’s situation. These remarks were part of his wider address and were not accompanied by specific documents or case details in the report.
No immediate government response or implementation timeline for festival-related rules was reported. The question of how Maharashtra regulates DJ and Dolby sound during public celebrations remains linked to decisions by the state administration and local authorities.
