Small restaurant owner booked in Anjuna for playing loud music without permission
MAPUSA
In an unexpected move that has raised eyebrows across Anjuna, local police booked a restaurant owner for playing loud amplified music without proper permission.
On Thursday, the owner of Sanngria Spanish Tapas & Music, a small eatery located in Mazalwado, was charged under Section 5 of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
While the action may seem like a step toward addressing the long-standing issue of noise pollution in the picturesque coastal village, critics argue that it merely scratches the surface of a much larger problem.
“This is nothing new,” said a local activist who has been campaigning against noise pollution in the area.
“Whenever the police face pressure to act, they target small-time players like family-run restaurants. But the big nightclubs – those that operate until the early hours, blatantly flouting laws – are left untouched. These establishments are often protected by powerful political and financial connections.”
Anjuna, a popular tourist destination known for its nightlife and beaches, has increasingly become a battleground between residents and tourism stakeholders.
For locals, the relentless blaring of music into the early hours disrupts their peace, infringes on their rights and violates legal noise limits.
The selective enforcement of noise regulations has fuelled frustration among residents.
High-profile nightclubs, many of which reportedly enjoy political patronage, continue to operate with impunity despite generating complaints for years. Meanwhile, smaller establishments like Sanngria are quickly penalised.
One resident commented, “The loud music from nightclubs is deafening, but the police do nothing. Yet, a small restaurant trying to make a living is immediately booked. This selective action is an insult to residents who are simply asking for the law to be followed.”
The crackdown has reignited a polarising debate in Anjuna.
While activists and locals are fighting to enforce lawful noise levels, some stakeholders in the tourism industry argue that such actions harm their livelihoods.
“Tourists come here for the nightlife and the music,” said a nightclub manager who wished to remain anonymous. “If you take that away, what’s left? Activists should understand that tourism feeds hundreds of families in Anjuna.”
But for many residents, the issue isn’t about opposing tourism – it’s about ensuring a balance.
“No one is saying stop the music completely. We’re asking for it to be within permissible limits. If everyone follows the law, there can be harmony between locals and tourists,” said an elderly villager.
The recent booking has sparked calls for a more even-handed approach to policing.
Activists argue that noise pollution laws must be applied consistently, irrespective of an establishment’s size or influence.
“If the police are serious about tackling noise pollution, they must go after the big offenders. The law is the law – whether it’s a small restaurant or a massive nightclub with political backing. Until then, these token actions won’t solve anything,” said a local environmentalist.
As Anjuna grapples with the complexities of balancing tourism and local concerns, the issue of noise pollution remains unresolved.
While the booking of a small restaurant owner may signal progress to some, it has also laid bare the larger, unaddressed inequities in enforcement.
For now, the music plays on – sometimes too loudly – and Anjuna’s struggle for harmony continues.
