Amid the loudspeaker controversy in Maharashtra, minister in the Modi government Ramdas Athawale has announced that his party workers will protect the mosques. He said that if anyone takes off the loudspeakers from the mosques, their workers will stop them. This move of Athawale seems to be different from BJP. BJP is supporting Raj Thackeray.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that his party will ensure that injustice is not done to the Muslim community. The Republican Party of India (A) leader said- “We are not against reading Hanuman Chalisa outside the mosque. But we are opposed to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) demand to remove loudspeakers from mosques. If anyone tries to forcibly remove loudspeakers from mosques then RPI(A) workers will protect the mosques.”
Athawale further said that instructions can be given to reduce the sound of loudspeakers. Regarding his ally BJP, the Union Minister said- “BJP may have supported the demand of MNS, but it does not mean that my party is in favor of such a move. If Raj Thackeray gives an ultimatum to remove these loudspeakers. Then my party workers will protect the mosques.”
Talking to reporters, Athawale said that there should be no dispute between Hindus and Muslims. He said, “Loudspeakers have been over mosques for a long time, then why is this issue being raised now?
He said that as Raj Thackeray claims loudspeaker is a social issue, in reality it is a religious issue. At the same time, when Athawale was asked a question about the BJP-MNS alliance, the Union Minister said that he did not think that this would happen. He said that if this happens then his party will also think about the future.