Activist assaulted over DJ ban controversy in Pune

Image used for representation only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Pune-based activist Vidyanand Bapat was allegedly assaulted on Thursday (September 3, 2026) over the ban on DJs and high-decibel loudspeakers during the upcoming Ganesh Chathurthi festival.The incident took place in the afternoon, when Mr. Bapat was speaking to a media channel at Kashale Chowk on Tilak Road in Maharashtra’s Pune district. The video of the assault went viral wherein an unidentified attacker slapped him, saying: “He is against our Ganeshotsav. He is atheist. He is against our Hindu festivals, and should be slapped more.”At civic meetingMr. Bapat, a software professional and resident of Narayan Peth in the city, came into prominence as he was at the forefront in opposing DJs and high-volume loudspeakers. During the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s preparatory meeting for the upcoming 10-day Ganeshotsav festival in Pune, Mr. Bapat raised concerns over the noise pollution appearing from DJs and loudspeakers and asked to ban it, triggering controversy in Pune.After the attack, police reached the spot and said, “We are identifying the attackers. We are investigating the motive of the attacker. Meanwhile, we escorted Mr. Bapat for his safety in police van.”“The people who cannot argue the issue does such act. The attacker attacked for fame, police should take action on this,” Mr. Bapat said. Published - September 03, 2026 04:40 pm IST