Cuttack, Sept 22: The Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to formulate guidelines regulating the use of DJ sound systems during processions and other public events.

The direction came while hearing a petition filed by the Jagannath Tent Light and Owners’ Association challenging restrictions imposed by the Jagatsinghpur district administration on the use of DJs during this year’s Ganesh Puja celebrations and immersion processions.

Justice Radhakrishna Pattanaik, who heard the matter, directed the state government to frame appropriate guidelines after giving the petitioners an opportunity to present their case. The guidelines are to be issued within six weeks.

The High Court has also directed the petitioners to submit a copy of the court’s order before the concerned administration.

In their petition, the applicants claimed that the Jagatsinghpur district administration had imposed restrictions on the use of DJ systems during various processions, including wedding processions and religious immersion events.

They further pointed out that the High Court had, in an earlier judgment delivered on October 3, 2024, examined provisions of the Odisha Fireworks and Loudspeaker Regulation Act, 1958, and directed the authorities to formulate guidelines concerning the use of DJ systems.

According to the petitioners, no such comprehensive guidelines had been issued by the administration in the intervening period.

The state government opposed the petition, with Additional Government Advocate Sarbeswar Behera arguing that restrictions were necessary from the perspective of public health and safety.

He submitted that excessively loud DJ sound can cause significant difficulties for elderly people and those suffering from illnesses.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court directed the state government to formulate guidelines governing the use of DJ systems, while taking into account the concerns raised by all stakeholders.