Christian groups have appealed to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, to extend the hours for playing music during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Mumbai Meri Jaan Foundation, a has written to Fadnavis, requesting an extension of music and sound permissions till 12:00 am on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1, 2025.
Agnelo Fernandes, president of the Mumbai Meri Jaan Foundation and General Secretary of the Mumbai BJP Minority Morcha, said that the Christian community is peace-loving and deeply values celebrations of love, care, and joy. “Christmas is the biggest festival for Christians, a time of togetherness, dancing, and music. The current 10 PM deadline often disrupts Christmas parties, causing inconvenience to the community,” said Fernandes.
He further added, “Mumbai is a metropolitan city with a working-class population. Most celebrations begin post 9 am, making it challenging to adhere to the 10 am deadline. Extending sound permissions till 12 am during these special occasions will allow families to celebrate in the true spirit of the festival without undue interference.”
Fernandes also suggested that the city’s noise regulations should be reconsidered to extend permissions until 11 am on regular days to accommodate the city’s dynamic lifestyle.
The Noise Pollution (Regulations and Control) Rules, 2000 prohibit the use of loudspeakers and public address systems between 10 pm and 6 am. Later the Bombay High Court allowed relaxation of the rules on 15 days in a year. On these days, loudspeakers can be used for two extra hours - between 10 pm and 12 pm. Among days when the rules are relaxed are Maharashtra Day, four days of Ganeshotsav, two days of Navratri, and one day each for Shiv Jayanti, Babasaheb Ambedkar's birthday, Eid-e-Milad, Christmas Eve (December 24), Diwali (Laxmi Puja), and New Year's Eve. In addition, the government can declare two additional days when noise rules are allowed to be relaxed.
