Social activists launch indefinite hunger strike over loud DJ vehicles in Belagavi

Caption: Social activists, led by Srinivasgouda Patil, launched an indefinite hunger strike at the Belagavi DC office on MondayBelagavi: Social activists, led by Srinivasgouda Patil, launched an indefinite hunger strike at Belagavi DC's office on Monday. Protesters demanded accountability from police and transport officials for failing to curb high-decibel DJs on tractors and private vehicles. They highlighted that noise pollution and obscene lyrics were causing severe distress to women, children, and commuters across Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura districts.
Speaking on the occasion, Srinivasgouda Patil, a social activist from Obalapur village in Ramdurg taluk, said that DJ (Disc Jockey) sound was used in tractors and private vehicles in all taluks of Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Bijapur districts. Due to noise pollution from loudspeakers, children, women, and the elderly are finding it difficult to move around. Receiving and talking on the phone has become impossible due to noise interference. This has severely affected people's health.The lyrics of the songs played in tractors and private vehicles are vulgar and provocative. It disturbs peace in public places. The number of accidents has also increased due to noise pollution. The police department, transport department, and taluk and district administration appealed to stop the use of DJ sound, but to no avail. No action was taken against the owners and users of the vehicles concerned.He further said that a hunger strike was previously held in front of the Ramdurg RTO's office, urging officials to take action to stop the broadcasting of songs that used obscene words in tractors and private vehicles. They convinced officials that vehicle owners and drivers violated the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, Environment Protection Act 1986, and Noise Pollution Regulations Act 2000. The RTO officials promised to resolve the problem within 1 month, but no action was taken, he said.Senior leaders of the social organisation, Basavaraj Tigadi, advocate SK Patil, Dr Basavaraj Savanur, Mahesh Kumar, Shrishail Baragundi, Revappa Madar, and Fakirappa Karadiguddi, were present.