07 September,2026 02:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. File pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the ongoing controversy surrounding restrictions on DJ sound systems, alleging that the chief minister was "sitting on the fence" despite growing public concern over noise pollution.
Speaking to reporters, Raut said complaints about the physical and mental impact of high-decibel music were not restricted to Pune but concerned the entire state. He questioned why police authorities in Mumbai and Nagpur had enforced restrictions on loud sound systems while Pune was witnessing a different approach.
Raut also referred to the reported death of the brother of Maharashtra minister Meghana Bordikar, noting that she had spoken publicly about problems allegedly caused by DJ noise. He also cited the case of a woman from Pimpri-Chinchwad whose father, according to Raut, died in her arms after an ambulance could not reach them amid disruption caused by loud music.
Raut pointed out that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray had supported the protests and questioned why Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, had not taken a clear position.
"If the chief minister, who is also the Home Minister, is sitting on the fence on a social issue and watching the situation, how can you say that you are running a government based on the rule of law?" Raut said.
He also raised the issue of activist Vidyanand Bapat, claiming police had warned him of a threat to his life and advised him against attending Sunday's Pune protest. Raut said such a situation reflected a failure on the part of the Home Department.
The Sena (UBT) leader further invoked the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune and questioned whether criminal elements were being used to target people.
Raut argued that high-decibel DJ systems were not representative of Maharashtrian culture, invoking Lokmanya Tilak's vision of the Ganesh festival. He also questioned whether performances such as dancer Gautami Patil's appearance at a Dahi Handi event in Thane reflected the state's cultural traditions.
He dismissed the BJP's "Hindus in danger" rhetoric, saying the protesters themselves included Hindutva supporters seeking to preserve cultural values.
Raut also criticised BJP minister Ashish Shelar over the issue of photographs displayed in political offices and alleged that the RSS had not contributed to the freedom struggle or the Samyukta Maharashtra movement.
He further alleged political interference in caste certificate verification involving some corporators and criticised Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik's campaign requiring autorickshaw and taxi drivers to know Marathi. Raut said Sarnaik should also have asked actor Sanjay Dutt to speak Marathi while attending an event in Thane.
(With inputs from PTI)
