Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has called for rules governing the use of DJs and Dolby sound systems during festivals, arguing that celebrations should follow traditional practices and that excessive sound contributes to noise pollution.Thackeray made the remarks at an MNS office-bearers’ meeting at Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane, according to a report by Loksatta – Thane published on Sunday. His comments came amid ongoing opposition to high-volume music systems during festivals in Maharashtra.
“Why are we using Dolby and DJs during festivals? Why are festivals not being celebrated in the traditional way?” Thackeray asked, according to the report. He said that the manner in which festivals are celebrated is changing and alleged that practices associated with other states are increasingly being adopted in Maharashtra.
The MNS leader also questioned the lack of a uniform position on DJ use across the state. Referring to disputes over DJ restrictions in Pune and a ban in Nagpur, he asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis why DJ use continued in Maharashtra while restrictions were being applied elsewhere.
Thackeray said there should be a formal set of rules for how festivals are celebrated. The report did not specify the text of any proposed regulation, the enforcement authority that would be responsible, or whether the MNS had submitted a formal proposal to the state government or local administrations.
Noise generated by amplified music during processions and public celebrations has been a recurring issue for local administrations, residents and organisers. However, the Loksatta report did not provide measurements of sound levels, details of complaints, enforcement data or information about any specific action taken by the Thane civic administration following Thackeray’s remarks.
During the meeting, Thackeray also raised other issues, including the alleged availability of narcotics at paan stalls outside schools, forest destruction and the acquisition of land without adequate employment for affected landowners. These claims were reported as part of his broader address and were not supported in the article by official documents or independent evidence.
He further criticised religious polarisation and said that the country was moving backwards. The remarks were made in the context of his wider comments on social and political issues at the Thane meeting.
The report did not record a response from the Maharashtra government, the Thane municipal administration, police authorities, festival organisers or sound-system operators regarding the proposed festival rules or the contrasting restrictions described by Thackeray. Any formal regulatory action would require clarification from the competent state or local authority.
