Karnataka mulls DJ ban at cultural, religious events amid noise concerns
The proposal was discussed in the Assembly, with Kannada and Culture Minister Shivraj S Tangadagi indicating that the government may soon issue an order if there is broader consensus.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is considering a ban on DJs at cultural and religious events, citing rising concerns over noise pollution and cultural degradation. The proposal was discussed in the Assembly, with Kannada and Culture Minister Shivraj S Tangadagi indicating that the government may soon issue an order if there is broader consensus.
The issue came up during a discussion on promoting cultural festivals, when BJP MLA S N Channabasappa urged the government to release funds for organising the “Sahyadri Utsav” regularly. Another BJP leader G Janardhana Reddy demanded the revival of the Anegundi Utsav in Koppal. The debate soon shifted to the growing use of DJs in such events.
Labour Minister Santosh Lad strongly criticised the trend, saying, “DJ culture has become a major issue during celebrations. It has reached a point where processions don’t move unless loud item songs are played. This is a matter of concern and does not reflect our traditions.”
Responding to the concerns, Minister Shivraj Tangadagi said, “We are seriously considering issuing an order on this. DJs are creating multiple problems, especially in cultural and religious gatherings. If all parties agree, we will move towards banning them.”
However, the proposal drew opposition from some quarters. MLA S N Channabasappa questioned the selective targeting of DJs and raised concerns about consistency in enforcing sound regulations. He argued that restrictions should be applied uniformly across all forms of amplified sound.
Assembly Speaker U T Khader intervened, noting that permissible sound levels have already been defined by the Supreme Court of India and must be adhered to by all states.
Interestingly, senior BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar supported the move, highlighting health concerns. “We have seen elderly people and heart patients suffer due to loud DJ noise. Even children are forced to cover their ears. This issue must be taken seriously,” he said.
The discussion reflects a growing concern over balancing cultural expression with public health and order. While no final decision has been announced yet, the government’s indication of a possible ban suggests stricter regulation of high-decibel music at public events in the near future.
