Hyderabad mayor booked over DJ music at Bathukamma event

Banjara Hills police on Sunday booked a suo moto case against the Hyderabad mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi after reports emerged that noise pollution norms were allegedly violated at Bathukamma event which was organised in the posh locality of the city.

On October 10, Bathukamma celebrations were held on a grand scale at NBT Nagar, attended by the city mayor. During the evening celebrations, DJs played loud music beyond permitted hours, and government-approved decibel limits and disrupted the peace of residents.

When Vijayalakshmi learned that the locals had complained to the police about the loud music, she told the crowd that some jealous people did not like them celebrating the Bathukamma festival, so they called the police on them.

The video of the celebrations showed the mayor brandishing a sword. On this occasion, she stoked controversy by making provocative remarks that no one should put an evil eye on women and girls. Today, I am holding a sword, tomorrow you all girls should wield the sword.

Ahead of Bathukamma and Dasara celebrations, the Hyderabad police announced a complete ban on the using of DJ sound systems, mixers, sound amplifiers, and other high-sound-generating equipment during religious processions in Hyderabad. The use of firecrackers is also prohibited in these events.

The decision comes in light of increasing complaints from residents regarding noise pollution and health issues associated with loud music and firecrackers during the city’s numerous religious festivals, which often attract thousands of participants.