Louspeaker Row: Maharashtra government has made extensive preparations to maintain law and order.
Several mosques in and near Mumbai kept loudspeakers off during azaan this morning following a threat by Raj Thackeray, chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers wherever azaan is recited on them.
Taking no chances, the Maharashtra government has made extensive preparations to maintain law and order. Leaves of police personnel have been cancelled and forces deployed in sensitive locations.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey is on a round to various police stations to review the situation in the city, news agency ANI reported.
Aurangabad Police has registered a case against Mr Thackeray for allegedly delivering a provocative speech two days ago. Mumbai Police have issued a notice to the MNS chief under Section 149 of CrPC, invoked to prevent a cognizable offence.
Here are the LIVE Updates on Loudspeaker Row:
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Raj Thackeray says will continue playing Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques until all illegal loudspeakers removedMaharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday said that playing Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques will continue till the time the government acts and address the issue in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines on loudspeakers.
"As far as I know, there are over 1,140 mosques in Mumbai. Out of these, 135 mosques played azaan at 5am violating the guidelines. We want peace in the state. I want to ask the police you are taking action only against our workers. My point is that all illegal loudspeakers should be removed from mosques, until they are removed we will continue our agitation," Raj Thackeray said addressing a press briefing here.
The MNS chief further said: "It's not only about mosques, there are several temples where illegal loudspeakers are running. I have already made it clear that it's (illegal loudspeakers) not a religious issue but a social issue."
What Raj Thackeray Said On Loudspeaker Row
"I have been receiving calls from several parts of the state and outside. At many places, my party's workers have been detained and issued notices. Those who are following the law are being detained and those who don't are going scot-free," Raj Thackeray told the media. He said the issue is "not only about mosques and there are several temples with illegal loudspeakers".
What Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut Said On Loudspeaker RowShiv Sena MP on Wednesday asserted that there was no violation of loudspeaker guidelines in Maharashtra and said no one should teach Hindutva to his party.
Without taking names of the BJP and MNS, Mr Raut said that people do not take cognisance of people who, with the support of "pseudo Hindutvawadis", conspire against the Shiv Sena.
Notably, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has been targeting the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and has given a call for "silencing" loudspeakers atop mosques.
Watch: Raj Thackeray Shares Bal Thackeray Video, Doubles Down In Loudspeaker RowAmid high tension in Mumbai over Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's ultimatum to the state government to remove loudspeakers from mosques, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut today said that there is peace in Maharashtra and no protest is happening in the state. The MNS chief had on April 12 given an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, failing which, he warned, MNS workers will play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. He had reiterated his warning recently.
Loudspeaker Row LIVE Updates
Loudspeaker Row LIVE Updates
Loudspeaker Row LIVE Updates
Loudspeaker Row LIVE Updates
The face-off between Raj Thackeray's party and the state government helmed by his cousin Uddhav Thackeray comes ahead of the civic elections in Maharashtra, in which the BJP is attempting to get the control of the Mumbai civic body.
Loudspeaker Row LIVE UpdatesShiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut claimed that no illegal loudspeakers are functional in the state anymore.
"No illegal loudspeakers running in the state... Bal Thackeray & Veer Savarkar are the ones who taught Hindutva to the country. Shiv Sena's school of Hindutva is original," Sanjay Raut said.
Loudspeaker Row LIVE Updates: Raj Thackeray Shares Bal Thackeray Video, Doubles Down In Loudspeaker Row Amid high tension in Mumbai over Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's ultimatum to the state government to remove loudspeakers from mosques, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut today said that there is peace in Maharashtra and no protest is happening in the state. The MNS chief had on April 12 given an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3, failing which, he warned, MNS workers will play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. He had reiterated his warning recently.
Loudspeaker Row LIVE Updates
At Kalyan, most mosques kept loudspeakers off during the morning azaan. Police had held meetings with the trustees of the mosques who had said that they will keep loudspeakers off during the morning prayers as per a Supreme Court order.
Loudspeaker Row LIVE: Police Arrest Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Navi Mumbai Head