13-year-old boy dies while dancing to loud DJ music in Madhya Pradesh
During a local festival celebration, Samar Billore, the victim, joined the throng after hearing the DJ playing outside his home.
PTC News Desk: A tragic incident unfolded in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where a 13-year-old boy, Samar Billore, died after dancing to loud music being played on a DJ sound system during a local festival. The incident has sparked widespread concern over the enforcement of noise regulations in the state, particularly during festivals.
The event occurred outside Samar's residence in Bhopal when he was drawn to the loud music being played by a DJ in the street as part of the celebrations. As he joined the crowd and danced to the high-decibel beats, Samar suddenly collapsed. Despite his mother, Jamuna Devi, crying for help, people around him continued dancing, unaware of his deteriorating condition.
Jamuna Devi later revealed that her son had a pre-existing heart condition, but had been managing well until the incident. “He had a heart condition, but he was fine,” she shared. Medical professionals confirmed that the young boy died due to heart failure, likely triggered by the overwhelming noise and excitement.
Samar’s father, Kailash Billore, expressed his frustration and grief over the dangerously high volume of the DJ music, stating, “The DJ’s sound was dangerously loud. Despite many warnings, it was not turned off. It felt like nothing could stop that noise, even as our son's life slipped away.” He emphasised that their repeated requests to lower the volume had been ignored, raising questions about the negligence of those operating the sound system.
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Noise Pollution in Bhopal Exceeds Legal Limits
Following Samar's death, an extensive investigation was carried out in various parts of Bhopal, including Gautam Nagar, Jamboori Maidan, Jahangirabad, and Govindpura. Over the course of 12 days, authorities measured noise levels, which consistently ranged between 90 to 100 decibels—far exceeding the permissible limits.
According to regulations, sound levels in residential areas should not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. In silent zones, like hospitals and schools, the legal limits are even stricter—50 decibels during the day and 40 at night. Despite these clear guidelines, enforcement in Bhopal, particularly around festival times, remains weak.
Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra acknowledged the challenges posed by noise pollution during festivals, saying, "We instruct organisers in advance, but the noise often continues despite our warnings." He emphasised the difficulty of ensuring compliance, particularly when celebrations become large and unmanageable.
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Health risks of loud DJ music
The dangers of loud music, especially from DJ sound systems, are not limited to immediate incidents like Samar’s tragic death. Prolonged exposure to high decibel levels can lead to a range of health problems. According to Dr. Anusha Shukla, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, persistent exposure to loud noise can result in permanent hearing damage, causing ear pain and even hearing loss. Cardiologist Dr. Kislay Srivastava added that high-decibel sound can disrupt heart rhythms, potentially leading to fatal outcomes, especially for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions like Samar.
Local residents have voiced their concerns over the noise levels during festivals. Dr. Neha Pawar, a resident of Bhopal, said, "The DJ sound is extremely loud. Patients, children, and the elderly are suffering. There should be strict time and volume limits for DJs to prevent such problems."
Dharmendra Lodhi, another resident, echoed this sentiment, adding, “The noise from sound systems during festivals is unbearable. The administration's failure to enforce the rules is the root cause of these problems.”
Weak enforcement of noise control measures in MP
Despite directives from the Supreme Court of India and specific orders from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav to control DJ noise during public celebrations, enforcement continues to lag. While the Bhopal Police claim to have taken action against 91 DJ operators under the Noise Act, the ground reality remains largely unchanged, with loud music persisting during festival times.
The incident has brought the issue of noise pollution in Bhopal to the forefront, with renewed calls for stricter enforcement of noise limits, particularly during festivals, to prevent further tragedies like that of Samar Billore.