Nagpur: The police ban on DJs and laser lights during festival celebrations in Nagpur has triggered a political debate within the BJP, with senior party leaders taking differing positions on the issue.
Former BJP MLA Sandeep Joshi was among the first prominent political leaders in Nagpur to oppose the use of loud DJs and laser lights, advocating for noise-pollution-free and DJ-free celebrations. However, BJP MLA Pravin Datke and city president Dayashankar Tiwari have raised questions over the manner and timing of the restrictions.
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The controversy began after opposition to DJs emerged from Pune. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had appealed to citizens in Pune to demonstrate how Ganeshotsav could be celebrated in a culturally appropriate manner. Soon afterwards, Joshi took a firm stand against DJs and laser lights in Nagpur and supported the idea of celebrations without excessive noise pollution. He had also indicated plans to collect citizens’ signatures and present public sentiment before the administration.
Joshi’s position attracted political attention as he is considered close to Fadnavis. However, after the Nagpur Police Commissioner imposed restrictions on DJs and beam lasers, other BJP leaders began questioning aspects of the decision.
Datke questions timing of ban
Central Nagpur MLA Pravin Datke has not opposed restrictions on DJs outright but has questioned how the rules are being implemented.
“If there are restrictions, they should apply equally to everyone,” is the thrust of Datke’s argument. He has questioned why such restrictions are being imposed specifically during Hindu festivals and maintained that rules should not be determined on the basis of religion or the particular festival being celebrated.
Tiwari calls for reconsideration
BJP Nagpur city president Dayashankar Tiwari has also called for a review of the police decision.
According to Tiwari, instead of introducing restrictions only during Hindu festivals, authorities should consider whether the rules can be applied throughout the year.
He has also suggested that there should not necessarily be a blanket ban on DJ equipment. Instead, authorities could establish a permissible decibel limit and allow DJs to operate within those limits.
Tiwari has therefore urged the Police Commissioner to reconsider the current decision.
The differing positions have brought an internal BJP debate over the DJ ban into the open. What initially appeared to be an issue of noise pollution has now developed into a wider political discussion over uniform enforcement of rules, religious festivals and equal treatment.
