Police walk onto the stage, and stop AR Rahman’s live performance
The incident took place on May 1, 2022, in Pune, Maharashtra, India, during a live concert of AR Rahman, a renowned Bollywood composer and music maestro. The concert was being held at the Mahalaxmi Lawns in Pune and was part of the annual Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav music festival, which features a range of classical and contemporary Indian music.
According to reports, Rahman had started his performance around 8:30 pm and was scheduled to end by 10 pm, as per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court of India regarding noise pollution and sound levels. However, Rahman continued to perform even past the deadline, prompting the police to step in.
A video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, showing a police officer walking onto the stage and asking Rahman, along with other artists and organizers, to stop the music show. AR Rahman, who was reportedly singing his last song, continued his performance past the deadline.
The incident highlights the tension between entertainment and law enforcement, especially in a country like India, where late-night performances are a popular source of entertainment. However, with the Supreme Court guidelines in place, the police have a legal obligation to enforce them.
The Supreme Court guidelines for noise pollution, which were issued in 2005, set the permissible sound levels for various types of zones and time periods. The guidelines were put in place to prevent the harmful effects of excessive noise pollution on people’s health and well-being.
Despite the guidelines, many cities in India continue to experience high levels of noise pollution, particularly during festivals, weddings, and other events. The police often struggle to enforce the guidelines, as they face resistance from event organizers and participants who are reluctant to comply.
However, it is important to note that the police are not always to blame for the failure to enforce the guidelines. In many cases, the lack of awareness and education about the harmful effects of noise pollution is the root cause.
In recent years, there have been several campaigns to raise awareness about noise pollution and its effects on health. One such campaign is the “Horn Not OK Please” campaign, which aims to reduce the unnecessary honking of vehicles on Indian roads.
While the campaign has had some success, there is still a long way to go in terms of educating the public about the harmful effects of noise pollution and the importance of complying with guidelines like the Supreme Court’s noise pollution guidelines.
In the case of AR Rahman’s performance, it is clear that the police were within their rights to stop the show. However, the incident has also sparked a debate about the need to strike a balance between entertainment and the law.
On one hand, the entertainment industry generates significant revenue and provides employment opportunities for many people. On the other hand, excessive noise pollution can have serious negative effects on people’s health and well-being, including hearing loss, sleep disturbance, and even heart disease.
Ultimately, it is up to all stakeholders, including the government, event organizers, and the public, to work together to find a solution that ensures both entertainment and public health and safety.
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The incident involving AR Rahman‘s live performance highlights the need for greater awareness about noise pollution and the importance of complying with guidelines like the Supreme Court’s noise pollution guidelines. While the police were within their rights to stop the show, there is a need to find a balance between entertainment and the law. It is up to all stakeholders to work together to find a solution that ensures both entertainment and public health and safety.
