In the wake of state government's DJ ban during Ganapati visarjan and Navaratri, the Bombay High Court directed Professional Audio & Lighting Association (PALA), to give the undertaking to abide by noise pollution rules if they are allowed to operate. PALA with around 1400 Disc Jockeys (DJ) are suppliers of Dolby sound system, during Ganpati visarjan.
A division bench of Justice Shantanu Kemkar and Justice Sarang Kotwal, also asked the state government to respond to the claim made in the petition filed by the association, claiming the ban imposed to be arbitrary and illegal. It said, "This is a serious issue and the government should respond in two days." The bench also posed a question to the petitioners, seeking clarification, whether DJ and Dolby sound system, are allowed over traditional music system like dhol.
Senior Advocate S B Talekar appearing for the petitioners argued that the government has without giving any reason banned the use of DJ and sound system, during any procession, gathering, religious functions, and sports events. He said, "People prefer DJ system over traditional music instruments, people like to groove to songs rather than only playing of dhol- tasha." The police are authorized to seize and seal the instruments if found playing. This move is arbitrary and in the wake of the Ganpati festival, it is affecting the business of many.
The plea says that there is no prohibition or ban on the use of sound system in public places. However, the police officers are misusing their powers by falsely stating that the High Court has permitted them to completely prohibit/ban the use of the sound system (DJ and Live Sound).
Talekar said the petition sought the HC to declare that there is no prohibition/ban on the use of sound system/DJ system in Maharashtra. It also petitioned the HC to issue guidelines and regulations, within the ambit of which, use of sound systems shall be permissible.
