Supreme Court Stays NGT Order on Dhol-Tasha Troupes for Pune's Ganesh Festival

The Supreme Court stayed the NGT's directive limiting Dhol-Tasha-Zanj troupes to 30 members during Pune's Ganesh idol immersion rituals. The court's decision upholds the cultural significance of 'Dhol-Tasha,' pending further proceedings.

In a decisive move, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the National Green Tribunal (NGT)'s order that restricted the number of members in each Dhol-Tasha-Zanj troupe to 30 during the Ganesh idol immersion rituals in Pune. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued notices to the Maharashtra government, Pune authorities, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and other related entities.

The apex court emphasized the cultural importance of 'Dhol-Tasha' in Pune's Ganesh festival, stating, "Let them do their Dhol-Tasha, this is the heart of Pune." The NGT had previously mandated real-time noise pollution monitoring around Ganesh pandals and had threatened criminal proceedings against violators.

Petitioners' counsel highlighted the deep cultural roots of 'Dhol-Tasha' in the festival, leading to the Supreme Court's stay on the NGT's direction. On August 30, the NGT Western Ghat ordered noise monitoring and imposed several restrictions on loudspeakers, metallic instruments, and DJ sets during the Ganeshotsav festival, which began on September 7. The directive's enforcement now faces judicial scrutiny.

(With inputs from agencies.)