Two dozen MPs write to PM, Rajnath against DJ ban
If the govt is convinced that the ban on DJs is a right step aimed at checking communal incidents, thereby meaning that DJs were fomenting communal passions, then why is the govt not providing the GO of the controversial and partisan order
LAXMIKANT BAJPAI, State BJP chief
LUCKNOW: Nearly two dozen party MPs from Uttar Pradesh have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Rajnath Singh against the Samajwadi Party government’s decision to ban disc jockey (DD) sets during the ‘kanwar yatra’ in the ongoing Hindu holy month of Shravan that began on August 1.
State police chief Jagmohan Yadav has ruled out any review of the decision, saying the ban on the DJ sets would continue. But UP BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai said the state government’s move hurt the sentiments of the Hindus.
The BJP has taken the line that if, as the government says, the decision was due to the apex court order of October 28, 2005, the court order makes it clear that there is no problem in playing DJs within a stipulated time frame.
“That is why nearly two dozen party MPs have sought the intervention of the PM and the union home minister on the issue,” Bajpai said.
The state BJP chief, who has already shot off an angry missive to the CM, has also asked the state government to provide the government order announcing the ban on DJs.
“If the government is convinced that the ban on DJs is a right step aimed at checking communal incidents, thereby meaning that DJs were fomenting communal passions, then why is the government not providing the GO of the controversial and partisan order?” asked Bajpai. The BJP had earlier advised the state government that instead of a blanket ban, it would be much better if the government directed the local administration to ensure that DJs only played bhajans and monitored the decibel levels.
Chief secretary Alok Ranjan had announced the government’s decision to ban the DJs after a video conference with administrative officials in various parts of the state on July 27.
The move, he said, was initiated in consultation with ‘ground level officers.’ The state government has ordered DMs and SSPs to study ‘sensitive routes’ that kanwar yatra passes through and beef up security. Senior police officers have also been rushed to the western UP districts to assess the situation. The BJP has also written to railway minister Suresh Prabhu to run three special trains on the route that kanwarias take frequently.