Ganpati Bappa Moraya

On the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Namaskar. The enthusiasm of the youngsters in organizing the society Ganpati celebrations brought back nostalgic memories of those good old days in Rajdoot, the place I used to live as a lad. The last 2 years when I was overseas, I had kind of missed this excitement. Of course we had Ganpati celebrations at a few of my friends' place but the atmosphere here is totally different. There are programs like dramas, dance and music at night and it is just wonderful.

Which brings me to another important social issue. For what is Ganeshotsav if not a celebration of the society ? It so happens that this year, all our evening programs start at 8 pm. Which means that people like my father won't be able to enjoy most of these. Why is it so ? Because it has been ruled that the use of loudspeakers will not be allowed beyond 10 pm.

I find this really very disturbing. I am all for allowing people their privacy and peace. I do not support the blaring use of loudspeakers at night that ruins the lives of those all around. But if you are not allowed open-air theatres beyond 10 pm at night nor the use of light-and-sound of Ganpati, you are really destroying the soul of the whole festival. It is an occasion for families to get out and roam the streets of Pune late into the night watching the various decorated Ganpatis. If all is going to be shut at 10 pm, how do you expect someone who works hard till say 9 o clock return home and take his family out to enjoy the festivities ??

I think this is a problem of rigidity, adamancy and stubbornness alongwith a lack of will and organization. One must make exceptions for cases like these. Of course, you might argue that it would be unfair on others who might want exceptions on occasions of say Id, Christmas etc (hypothetically). Sure, if so is the case, I have no problems in granting them the exceptions as well. The issue is that this is what the people want. It is not something for 1 particular individual. After all, since our legislators represent us, they should make the exceptions in the law and I do not quite blame the courts as much as I blame them.

Another arguement is that Ganpati is a phenomenon restricted to the people of Maharashtra, more particularly those of Mumbai and even more than Mumbai, Pune. The ban on use of loudspeakers is nationwide and is overseen by the Supreme Court. What do the politicians in Delhi care of what we want here locally ?? To hell with this rubbish, I say ! I think we should fight for greater autonomy. Such decisions which are not of national importance should definitely be made at state level, if not even lower. In the United States, every city has the autonomy to decide on use of fireworks and the like. If you do not allow each city to retain its soul, its character what is to happen to the great Indian ideal of "Unity in Diversity" ? How is the diversity going to be sustained ? Isn't this akin to the BJP's dangerous proposal of a Uniform Civil Code ? We should take care that we do not destroy the diversity of this country in strengthening the unity.

Already, great traditional cultural activities in Pune like the Sawai Gandharva have had to bear the brunt of this draconian rule. I would like the PMC to file a PIL against this and this should come now for next year. Not five days before. I would also like people to undertake civil disobedience and court arrest. Of course, I doubt any of this is going to happen. We are like this only. Aren't we ?

Update: In lieu of the the restrictions on the loudspeakers, the leading Ganpati mandals decided to initiate action. The 5 Manache Ganpati decided to observe an hour of silence for one hour as a mark of protest. The newspapers too were filled with stories of the death-like silence that had marred this year's celebrations. It looked likely that some sort of action would follow. However the next day a poll in the newspaper showed that in fact over 70% of the people were happy with the embargo on loudspeakers and did not support the Ganesh Mandal's protests. This was an eye-opener for me. Truly, the residents of Laxmi Road and downtown Pune must have been relieved and happy at being able to live in peace and silence. What still needs to be addressed however is the issue of the blanket ban. True, a loud-speaker blaring out stuff like "Dhoom Machale Dhoom" and "Kajara re" for hours late at night is definitely a pest and should be an absolute no-no. On the other hand, a loudspeaker that is narrating a story about some scene or is used for open air theatre should be allowed to function ?!?! The issue is one of discrimination. We are very good at discrimination in general. We have reservations in colleges, in the Parliament, in the Government jobs and now are planning to extend it to the private sector. Why then do we refuse to discriminate here ?