Only recently, the Ahmedabad District Child Protection Unit issued a notice to Coldplay and its lead singer Chris Martin prohibiting the entry of children under five years old to the British rock band’s concerts in the city on January 25 and 26.
Now, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women has issued a notice to the platform ahead of a concert in Mumbai.
“A complaint has been received in the office of the Maharashtra State Women Commission… with respect to not allowing pregnant women (to attend the concert) on January 18, 19, and 21 in the D Y Patil Stadium,” the notice, published by a media house, read.
“As per the complainant, the study published in Indian Paediatrics says that children born to women who are exposed to noise during pregnancy could develop hearing loss and mental retardation,” the notice issued by the Commission read.
Ajinkya Gangurde, the Law Officer at the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, who had issued the notice, was quoted as saying, “We have asked the police commissioner to take action. We will be sending a reminder on Monday again but we are told that the police have started an investigation.”
Gangurde added, “The rules are not clear at the time of booking. There should be awareness of this before the show. However, it is entirely the responsibility of the women to understand that this is hazardous for them and the child.”
Assistant Professor at Government College, Chandigarh, Punditrao Dhareanvar, in a complaint to Maharashtra State Commission for Women, has noted that high-intensity sound harms pregnant women and unborn children. According to the media report, he alluded to the Swedish Work Environment Authority which states that pregnant women should avoid noise levels of over 80 dB even with ear protectors since the babies remain vulnerable to sound.
The provisions of Section 10(1) F (i) and (ii) of the Maharashtra State Women Commission Act, 1993, state that the Maharashtra State Women Commission is authorised to handle matters on women’s complaints.
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