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Mumbai: Blanket ban unfair, livelihoods at stake, say DJs

The association claims that there is no written rule against the use of sound systems

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With the Bombay High Court refusing to grant an interim relief to allow disk jockeys and professional sound mixers from performing during the Ganeshotsav and Navratri festities in Maharashtra, the musicians are looking at uncertain times ahead of the next hearing scheduled for 19 September. A petition filed by the Professional Audio and Lighting Association (PALA), a body representing DJs and sound and lighting systems suppliers, had sought relaxation of noise norms during the two festivals. 

The association claims that there is no written rule against the use of sound systems, and that the lack of clarity in the rules regarding the use of loudspeakers has given rise to a "ban" at the behest of activists. "Though no interim relief was provided on Friday, the police was asked to stop taking arbitrary actions until the next hearing on Wednesday, and respond with details regarding the process of recording sound," said Zura Braganza, treasurer of PALA.

Activists claim that the 75-decibel limit is blatantly breached by mandals. However, Braganza explains that the public is being misinformed about this. "The correct way to measure sound over an extended time is by measuring it in terms of the dB(A)leq value, which denotes the average level of sound over a period of time. Activists measure the peak sound and publicise that, which is misleading," he said.

The association has maintained that it just wants the blanket ban on sound systems to be withdrawn, and said that a lot of livelihoods are at stake. "The way forward is to allow, and possibly regulate, the use of sound systems during festivals. There should be a discussion on the number of speakers, and compliance regarding decibel levels. Clients (mandals) also need to understand our constraints," he added.

The entire industry has spoken out against a blanket ban, calling it unofficial and that it has affected many households. Kamlesh Khandekar, a 32-year-old DJ from Malad, said he borrowed a Rs 40 lakh loan to buy sound equipment and a godown. "Forget paying EMIs on time, I find it tough to even pay my daughter's school fees," he said.

Khandekar hasn't even been able to make it to any mandal. "I can bring out my equipment but there is no surety that it will return safely," he added.

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