Activist and environmentalist Vidyanand Bapat, who has been vocal against high-decibel DJ systems and excessive noise during Ganeshotsav processions in Pune, was allegedly assaulted on September 3 while speaking to the media on Tilak Road. Police have arrested the suspect, identified as Santosh Chavan, a resident of Rautwadi in Pune’s Kothrud area. He is reportedly employed by a local construction businessman and previously served as president of the Priyadarshani Ganesh Mandal.

Heated meeting

Bapat’s demand for restrictions on high-decibel DJ systems came into the spotlight during a Ganeshotsav preparatory meeting held at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). He argued that extremely loud sound systems during processions inconvenience residents and can adversely affect public health. His intervention reportedly led to a heated exchange with Ganesh Mandal’s representatives, leading PMC security to escort him out of the meeting hall. Videos of the confrontation subsequently circulated on social media.