Government seeks BJP’s support to ban DJ music during festivals

The Congress government has sought the support of the Opposition BJP to issue an order banning the use of DJ music during cultural and religious festivals across the State, citing concerns over noise pollution and excessive spending.

In a reply to S N Channabasappa, BJP MLA, Minister for Kannada and Culture and Backward Classes Shivaraj Tangadagi said the government will support the proposal, stating that he will act if the BJP extends its cooperation. “DJ music is creating several problems. If the BJP cooperates, we will issue orders banning it,” he said.

Raising the issue during a discussion on government support for cultural events at the taluk and district levels, Labour Minister Santosh Lad said the growing reliance on DJ music during various jayanthi (birth anniversary) celebrations had become a serious concern.

“The organisation of DJ music during jayanthi celebrations has turned into a major problem. Today, processions of our gods do not move forward unless item songs are played on DJs. This trend has become distasteful,” he said.

Mr. Lad added that loud DJ music serves no genuine cultural purpose and called for a complete ban, irrespective of which party is in power. Instead, he suggested promoting traditional cultural programmes. “Funds ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh can be provided. At present, budgets run into crores, as some artistes charge exorbitant fees,” he said.

However, Mr. Channabasappa objected to the discussion, arguing that the House need not deliberate on the personal likes or dislikes of Ministers.

IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge described DJ culture as a relatively recent phenomenon and stressed the need to monitor the type of songs played during festivals. “DJ culture did not exist earlier. Attention must be paid to the nature of songs being played,” he said.

Mr. Channabasappa also dared the government to ban the Azaan, claiming that the Supreme Court had prohibited it. Responding, Mr. Kharge clarified that the apex court had only prescribed permissible decibel limits for all forms of sound, including Azaan and bhajans.

Speaker U.T. Khader intervened to reiterate that the Supreme Court’s order pertains solely to regulating decibel levels.

Senior BJP leader S. Suresh Kumar agreed that DJ music and item songs are not part of Karnataka’s cultural tradition and warned of the health risks posed by loud music.

“I have seen people suffer due to loud music. Children often cover their ears, while organisers show little concern, and police remain helpless. Sound pollution must be controlled,” he said.