The noise levels at Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park was higher than last year.
The reading taken by noise activist Sumaira Abdulali proved that the Sena is liable for contempt of court. This year the noise level was highest at 98 decibels (dB).
“The recording from drums playing at the venue was 98 dB, followed by 88 dB when Sena leader Ramdas Kadam was making his speech,” said Ms Abdulali. Even last year, Mr Kadam’s voice was recorded to be higher tha n any Sena leader at 85 dB.
The sound limit at Shivaji Park, which is a silence zone is 50 dB.
Amongst the Thackeray family the sound level during the speech of Balasaheb was highest of 81 dB as compared to 71 dB last year. Whereas, his son Uddhav Thackeray’s pitch was recorded at 81 dB as against 77 dB in 2011.
Earlier this month, the Bombay high court had permitted Awaaz Foundation of Ms Adbulali to monitor decibel levels at Shivaji Park during the rally and report its findings. “On Thursday I will write to the Mumbai police about the violations and will also present a report to the court whenever the next hearing is scheduled,” added the activist. The court had also asked Sena to use low-wattage sound system to adhere to noise norms.
For the last two years — 2010 and 2011 — the Shiv Sena has been found flouting noise pollution norms.
A chargesheet too was filed in February 2012 on the same issue before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, Dadar, which is pending.