Ganesh mandals in the city have decided to move court to seek permission for playing music after midnight on the immersion day of the Ganesh festival every year.
They have alleged that such restrictions are not imposed elsewhere across the state, including Mumbai.
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust chief, Ashok Godse, Anna Thorat of Akhil Mandai, Kasba Ganpati Mandal chief Shreekant Shete, Kesariwada Ganesh Mandal president Rohit Tilak and other mandal representatives held a meeting at Kesariwada on Friday.
They also protested the police department’s move to register cases against mandal volunteers for violating the rules pertaining to the playing of loudspeakers. Cases have been filed against 67 mandals, including the Dagdusheth, Akhil Mandai, Bhau Rangari and Kasba mandals, for playing loud music after the stipulated time.
The mandals have also been charged under relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, as they had used bullocks during the immersion procession.
Godse said, “We cooperated with the police and assisted them in ensuring a peaceful festival. In return, the police have filed cases against us. We have, therefore, decided to form a joint forum and plan to move court to be allowed to play music on the last day of the celebrations at least.”
Godse also questioned the police for initiating action against mandals over the use of bullocks when no such action was taken last year. Tilak said the forum would submit memoranda to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.
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