Social activists, led by Srinivasgouda Patil, began an indefinite hunger strike outside the Belagavi Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday, demanding strict action against the unchecked use of high-decibel DJ systems on tractors and private vehicles.
The protesters accused the police and transport departments of failing to control noise pollution caused by loud music played across Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura districts. They said the excessive noise and obscene song lyrics were creating serious problems for women, children, senior citizens, and daily commuters.
Addressing the gathering, Srinivasgouda Patil, a social worker from Obalapur village in Ramdurg taluk, said that DJ sound systems were being widely used on vehicles in all taluks of the three districts. He stated that the loudspeakers made it difficult for people to move freely in public places and even affected phone communication. He added that continuous exposure to such noise was harming public health.
Patil also pointed out that vulgar and provocative songs disturbed social harmony and contributed to an increase in road accidents. Despite repeated appeals by the police, transport authorities, and local administration to stop the practice, vehicle owners continued to violate the rules, and no strict action was taken.
He recalled that a similar protest had earlier been held in front of the Ramdurg RTO office, highlighting violations of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Environment Protection Act, 1986, and Noise Pollution Regulations, 2000. At that time, RTO officials had assured action within a month, but no steps were taken, he alleged.
Senior members of the organisation, including Basavaraj Tigadi, advocate S.K. Patil, Dr Basavaraj Savanur, Mahesh Kumar, Shrishail Baragundi, Revappa Madar, and Fakirappa Karadiguddi, were present during the protest.
