Tackling the ‘DJ menace’ during Ganesha idol immersion

Raichur district administration persuading mandalis not to use high-decibel sound systems

August 25, 2016 03:58 pm | Updated 04:00 pm IST - RAICHUR

A DJ system in Raichur. - PHOTO: SANTOSH SAGAR.

A DJ system in Raichur. - PHOTO: SANTOSH SAGAR.

The district administration is determined to put an end to the Disc Jockey (popularly known as DJ) sound system menace during the Ganesh idol immersion ceremony this year.

It is adopting a multi-pronged strategy including persuasion and enforcing the Supreme Court order of 2005 that banned the use of systems that produce high-decibel sounds between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

“We have already had a meeting with Ganesh mandalis and tried to persuade them to use traditional musical instruments such as drums instead of hazardous DJ systems. We have also warned them of legal action against the violators of Supreme Court ruling and Environment Protection Rules,” Chetan Singh Rathor, Superintendent of Police, told The Hindu .

The police are also approaching DJ system providers and persuading them not to rent out their systems for the Ganesha idol procession. “Last year we booked cases against 10 DJ system providers and seized their systems. They are not renting their systems this year,” Mr. Rathor said. He recalled a case in which a Circle Inspector, who was on duty during the Ganesh idol procession in Hirekerur, Haveri district, had lost hearing in one of his ears due to the high decibel count.

Civil society leaders, cutting across community lines, are welcoming the district administration’s initiative. “We must respect the Supreme Court ruling. We should ensure that our celebration does not harm others. I will, during all my future meetings, convince people not to use hazardous DJ systems,” said Shantamalla Shivacharya Swamy of Kille Bruhanmata, Raichur.

As per the information provided by the Police department, around 1,400 Ganesh idols are installed across the district every year. DJ music systems that produce sound beyond permissible limits are used in the immersion procession of at least 300 idols. Of the 560 idols installed in Raichur city alone last year, DJ sound systems were used in the procession of 150 idols.

A nightmare

The immersion days and nights during the fortnight-long festivities are a nightmare for the public, particularly the sick, students and the elderly, as the DJ systems are used during processions that normally stretch up to 18 hours.

The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 formulated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has set permissible limits of noise for residential areas as 55 decibels (day) and 45 decibels (night) respectively. DJ sound systems produce over 120 dB.

“Over 90 per cent of the public are against the use of DJ systems during the immersion processions. But they are voice-less. Taking their silence for acceptance, a few people cause great inconvenience and nuisance,” observed one person who wished to remain anonymous.

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