Mysuru City police have officially prohibited the sale and use of vuvuzelas, those distinctively loud toy trumpets, throughout the city in anticipation of the upcoming Dasara celebrations.
In a formal directive issued on September 18, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar invoked Section 35 of the Karnataka Police Act to enforce this ban across the entire jurisdiction of the Mysuru City Police Commissionerate.
The decision stems from a deluge of complaints regarding the vuvuzelas, which have been a source of significant disruption for both tourists and local residents.
Past Dasara festivals have seen instances where individuals misused these instruments, blowing them close to people’s ears in public spaces, causing widespread irritation and annoyance.
Authorities have classified such disruptive behavior as a ‘public nuisance,’ stressing that it jeopardizes public health, safety, and general well-being. This constitutes a criminal offense under the Karnataka Police Act of 1963 and the recently introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.
The Police Commissioner emphasized that anyone found violating this prohibition on vuvuzela sales and usage will face strict legal consequences. All police officers have been instructed to ensure rigorous enforcement of the order.
Adding to the enforcement efforts, Mysuru City Corporation Health Officer Venkatesh announced plans for authorities to confiscate vuvuzelas from vendors discovered selling them within the city limits.