In Maharashtra, it will be necessary to take permission from the state government before installing loudspeakers at religious places. The Maharashtra Home Department has decided to implement the orders of the court regarding the use of loudspeakers at religious places. The special thing is that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray was constantly warning the state government to remove loudspeakers from mosques.
It is reported that Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil held a meeting with the Director General of Police. He has directed all the police commissioners and officers to be made aware of the new decision. The Nashik Police Commissioner has already issued orders seeking permission for the use of loudspeakers. At the same time, Maharashtra DGP has also been asked to hold a meeting with the district administrations.
Tension escalated after Raj Thackeray’s statement regarding loudspeakers in the state. He had asked ‘Hindu brothers’ to ‘be ready’ in case loudspeakers are not removed from mosques by May 3. On Sunday, he said that the issue of loudspeakers is more social than religious. He told the media in Pune that he does not want to disturb the peace of the society, ‘but if the use of loudspeakers continues, he will also have to listen to our prayers on loudspeakers.’
During the Gudi Padwa rally in the state, Raj Thackeray had said that if the state government does not remove these loudspeakers by May 3, then his party will run Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques. Giving an ultimatum to the state government, he said, ‘I will see what to do after May 3’.
The special thing is that the Maharashtra government had also expressed strong objection to this statement of Raj Thackeray. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut compared him with Asaduddin Owaisi in Uttar Pradesh. On Sunday, he had said, “Efforts are being made to disturb peace in Maharashtra, but people and police are peaceful here.” The mission of some people is to incite riots in the name of Ram and Hanuman ‘Nai Owaisi’… through the ‘Hindu Owaisi’ of the state… we will not allow this to happen.’