Nagpur: loud DJ, road closure at Dahi Handi events raise questions on police, organiser conduct
FIR filed after DJ played past permitted hours at Ajni Chowk, while a road closure at Orange City Square forced vehicles into oncoming lanes.
Questions are being raised over two Dahi Handi events in Nagpur, over whether the law and police orders were ignored in the name of a religious celebration. One case is from Ajni Chowk, where a DJ played at high volume despite police presence and clear instructions. The other is from Orange City Square, where an entire carriageway of Ring Road was closed for a Dahi Handi event organised by BJYM South West Nagpur, forcing motorists to drive in the wrong direction up to a divider opening.
According to Dhantoli police, the sound level at the Ajni Chowk event was recorded between 90 and 100 decibels. Police had asked organiser Karan Yadav and Rajat Vijay Shahu, who was operating the sound system, to lower the volume. Despite this, the DJ continued playing loudly. Under the rules, the sound was supposed to stop after 10 pm, but the event continued until around 10:45 pm. Dhantoli police subsequently filed an FIR against both under relevant sections of the BNS and the Environment Protection Act.
The question being asked is how the DJ continued playing even after 10 pm when police were present at the spot and the noise level had been measured twice. Separately, the partial closure of the road at Orange City Square forced hundreds of vehicles to travel in the wrong direction, raising the risk that an ambulance, fire tender or other emergency vehicle could have been unable to get through.
A perception has formed around the organisers of both events that they have political influence and are seen as close to those in power. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself is from Nagpur and his influence in the city's politics is well known, and this has led to questions about the disregard of rules in events linked to people seen as close to him being directed at the top leadership as well.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil has previously taken a strict stance on noise pollution, DJs and laser lights, and police have carried out checks on sound systems and monitored decibel levels. There are demands that the matter should not end with the filing of FIRs alone, but that the licenses and permissions of DJs and sound providers who violate rules should also be examined and cancelled if necessary. There are also expectations of similar strictness at other public events such as Ganeshotsav, Pola and Muharram regarding road closures, loud noise and risks to traffic, so that ordinary citizens are not put to inconvenience.
