New Delhi: The BJP on Monday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of questioning the existence of Lord Ram and alleged that "petty politics" of the Congress leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and their "inciting" remarks have played a role in the recent violence in several states during Ram Navami processions.Talking to reporters, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra called Gandhi a "chunavi Hindu" (Hindu for electoral purposes), and alleged that he pretends to be a Hindu.The BJP was reacting to a recent public address of Gandhi during which he quoted a BJP leader, whom he did not name, as saying that he did not believe in reincarnation.Then he asked him, Gandhi said, if he does not believe in reincarnation, then how can he believe in Ram. During the speech, Gandhi also spoke about his conversation with a Dalit youth who had tried to commit suicide after violence against Dalits in Una in Gujarat. Citing the conversation, he said, "If my sister had been assaulted I would have stabbed and killed her tormentor before dying," he added. Patra seized on the former Congress president's remarks to hit out at him. This shows that Gandhi has faith neither in the Constitution nor in the judiciary, he added. With Gandhi claiming that he had no interest in power despite being born in its midst, the BJP spokesperson said these remarks aimed at "provoking" people and "questioning" Ram's existence underline his desperation.The Gandhi family can go to any extent to get power, he alleged. "The way some leaders are questioning the existence of Lord Ram and are inciting people... This should not have happened. Rahul Gandhi seems to be unable to tolerate that people in India have faith in Lord Ram. This shows the character of the Congress," he said. Noting that Gandhi was described by his party as a "janeu-dhari Hindu", one who wears sacred thread, Patra said that by "attacking" Ram's existence, the Congress leader had shown himself to be someone who pretends to be a Hindu for electoral benefits. The UPA government in an affidavit to the Supreme Court had said that there was no proof of Ram's existence, he said, adding that Rahul Gandhi is treading on the same path as his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.This resulted in people finishing off the existence of the Congress in elections, and the opposition party will be taught a lesson again, he said.In this context, Patra also condemned Thackeray for his jibe at the BJP that what issue the ruling party would have raised if Lord Ram was not born.Opposition leaders can find thousands of reasons to attack the BJP but this is "petty politics", he said.Referring to the violence in a number of states during Ram Navami processions, he said it is natural that such incidents will happen when senior leaders like Gandhi and Thackeray make such remarks due to their "appeasement" politics.Chief ministers of opposition-ruled states like Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan have blamed right-wing groups for violence and have hit out at the BJP.—PTI

 The BJP on Monday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of questioning the existence of Lord Ram and alleged that "petty politics" of the Congress leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and their "inciting" remarks have played a role in the recent violence in several states during Ram Navami processions.

BJP Attacks Rahul Gandhi For Remarks Over Lord Ram

New Delhi / Haridwar: No specific words against any community were uttered during an event held in New Delhi in December last year, the Delhi police has told the Supreme Court which is hearing a plea seeking direction to ensure investigation and action against those who allegedly made hate speeches during two events held in Haridwar and Delhi.<img src="https://im.rediff.com/news/2022/apr/04yati.jpg?w=670&amp;h=900">In a counter-affidavit filed in the apex court, the Delhi police has said the petitioners had not approached them for taking any action in connection with the alleged incident and have directly moved the top court and such a practice must be deprecated.The top court is hearing a petition filed by journalist Qurban Ali and former Patna high court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash, who have also sought a direction for an "independent, credible and impartial investigation" by an SIT into the incidents of hate speeches against the Muslim community.In its affidavit, the Delhi police has said that on the same subject matter, some complaints were lodged alleging that hate speech was made at an event organised in New Delhi by the ‘Hindu Yuva Vahini' on December 19 last year and all those complaints were consolidated and an inquiry was initiated.It said after a ”deep enquiry” was conducted and contents of the video were evaluated, the police did not find any substance in the video as per allegation levelled by the complainants.”In the video clip of the Delhi incident, there is no utterance against any particular section/community. Hence, after inquiry and after evaluation of the alleged video clip, it was concluded that the alleged speech did not disclose any hate words against a particular community as alleged or otherwise,” the affidavit said, adding that all complaints were thereafter closed.It said the police, after carrying out preliminary inquiry on the complaints and after examining the video link and attached video in respect of the alleged hate speech delivered at Delhi, found that no such words as mentioned by the complainant in his complaint have been used.”Bare perusal of the complaints made, the statement, which are alleged to be offensive, would divulge that there is no specific words against a particular community or against any community were uttered by the gathering or any other person in that event,” the affidavit said.”There is no use of such words which mean or could be interpreted as ‘open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing or an open call for murder of an entire community' in the speech,” the police said.It said no hate was expressed in the event at Delhi against any group, community, ethnicity, religion or faith, the speech was about empowering one's religion to prepare itself to face the evils which could endanger its existence, which is not even remotely connected to a call for genocide of any particular religion.”We must practise tolerance to the views of others. Intolerance is as much dangerous to democracy as to the person himself. That the petitioner is trying to draw an incorrect and absurd inference by isolated passages disregarding the main theme and its message,” it said, adding that the petition, so far it relates to the alleged incident at Delhi, is devoid of any merit and ought to be dismissed with cost.The affidavit further said the petitioners did not choose to follow any of the legally established mechanism for registration of a criminal case and had directly approached the apex court.”This court must deprecate and discourage such practices, else it will open up the floodgates before this court, which is already overburdened,” it said.Ali, who is one of the petitioners in the apex court, said their contentions are "not baseless"."We stand by what we have said in our petition. The matter is before the Supreme Court. We will file an appropriate response before the court," he told PTI.The apex court had on Wednesday asked the Uttarakhand government to file a status report after the state had said that four FIRs have been registered in connection with the alleged hate speeches made in December last year during an event in Haridwar.The top court has listed the plea for hearing on April 22.The apex court had on January 12 issued notice on the plea which has sought direction to ensure investigation and action against those who allegedly made hate speeches during two events held in Haridwar and the national capital.It had asked the Centre, the Delhi police and the Uttarakhand police to respond to the petition.The plea, which specifically referred to the "hate speeches" delivered between the "17th and 19th of December 2021 at Haridwar and Delhi", has also sought compliance of the apex court's guidelines to deal with such speeches.One event was organised in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and the other in Delhi by 'Hindu Yuva Vahini' allegedly "calling for genocide of members" of a community, it has said.The Uttarakhand police had filed an FIR on December 23 last year under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code against some persons including Sant Dharamdas Maharaj, Sadhvi Annapoorna alias Pooja Shakun Pandey, Yati Narsinghanand and Sagar Sindhu Maharaj.A similar complaint was filed with the Delhi police for the second event organised in the national capital.The plea has alleged that no effective steps have been taken by the Uttarakhand and the Delhi police.&nbsp;—PTI

No specific words against any community were uttered during an event held in New Delhi in December last year, the Delhi police has told the Supreme Court which is hearing a plea seeking direction to ensure investigation and action against those who allegedly made hate speeches during two events held in Haridwar and Delhi.

Nothing Objectionable Said In Dharma Sansad, Delhi Police Tells Court

New Delhi: In a veiled barb at Raj Thackeray who has taken an aggressive stand against loudspeakers on mosques, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday termed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief a "new Hindu Owaisi" and his party a "new Hindutva MIM".Alleging the Bharatiya Janata Party's hand behind the demands for removing loudspeakers from mosques and reciting Hanuman Chalisa, Raut claimed that intelligence inputs suggest that a conspiracy is on to create communal tension in Maharashtra and recommend President's rule dismissing the MVA government.In an ultimatum to the state government, Raj Thackeray recently said that loudspeakers on mosques should be removed by May 3 or else 'Hanuman Chalisa' will be played in a higher volume outside mosques.Raising the pitch for Hindutva, Shiv Sena has organised the recitation of 'Hanuman Chalisa' in Dadar in Mumbai this evening on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, while the MNS chief is scheduled to perform a 'maha aarti' in Pune later in the day."The demand for removing loudspeakers on mosques and the reciting Hanuman Chalisa are parts of an effort to create a communal hatred to topple the MVA government by BJP in collaboration with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena," Raut alleged.He alleged that BJP is "frustrated" as its efforts to win over MLAs from MVA parties -- the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party, and the Congress -- have failed while the people have rejected the bid to create a communal discord."This is the reason the BJP is getting this work done by a 'nav-Hindutva AIMIM' and 'nav-Hindu Owaisi'. They have plans to distribute loudspeakers and recite Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques. They have given a contract for this work. They will recite Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques, then the real Owaisi (AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi) will come into the picture and everything will culminate into riots," he said."Later, they will send a report to the Centre through Raj Bhavan and try to impose President's rule in Maharashtra. We have intelligence and vigilance inputs of such plan and the Home Ministry is looking into it," Raut claimed.Raut also announced Shiv Sena leader and minister Aaditya Thackeray's visit to Ayodhya, tentatively in the first or second week of May."Nashik Shiv Sena will organise this programme. The programme will be regarding the concept of 'Ram Rajya' by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray,” he said.The Sena chief spokesperson also said the Sena won the byelection to the Vile Parle constituency in Mumbai in 1987 on the Hindutva slogan given by Sena supremo Bal Thackeray."Some people are trying to make a corrupt copy of the Shiv Sena supremo. But it is useless. Whom do they teach Hindutva? Those who have taken Hindutva on rent should not teach us Hindutva. Those who boast of reciting the Hanuman Chalisa cannot say even the first two stanzas of it by heart. They cannot even recite the national anthem and Vande Mataram,” Raut said without taking names.He said Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti have been celebrated for years peacefully."But this year, there were riots in ten states on Ram Navami (on April 10). Creating riots in poll-bound states and winning them this way is the strategy of BJP now,” Raut alleged.Alleging a "pattern" of triggering communal riots and winning elections, the Sena MP said this will break the country into pieces.Referring to the FIR registered in Mumbai against BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and his son in the alleged misappropriation of funds collected to save decommissioned aircraft carrier 'INS Vikrant', Raut alleged that some courts are becoming "relief courts".“In 2022, it came to light that the money collected to save INS Vikrant did not reach where it was supposed to reach. Even the sessions court agreed to the fact that misappropriation of funds had taken place. Whether it was Rs 58 crore or Rs 158 crore, the investigation will reveal. However, the high court gave relief to Kirit Somaiya. The court is a 'relief court' for some people. The HC observed as wrong that the money was collected in 2013 and the case was registered only in 2022," Raut claimed.The Bombay high court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to Kirit Somaiya in the INS Vikrant funds case.Raut also alleged a scam by "Yuva Pratishthan, an NGO of Kirit Somaiya and his wife, by submitting fake bills in the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation.The Sena MP claimed that an attempt was made to change the history of India since 2014- when the BJP came to power."It's an attempt to destroy all the good things which had been done in the last 60 years. The rulers of the country are working with a mindset that the history of the nation started only in 2014," he said and referred to the inauguration of the Pradhan Mantri Museum in New Delhi by PM Narendra Modi and the Congress's opposition to it.—PTI

: In a veiled barb at Raj Thackeray who has taken an aggressive stand against loudspeakers on mosques, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday termed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief a "new Hindu Owaisi" and his party a "new Hindutva MIM".

Rise Of New 'Hindu Owaisi': Raut's Veiled Swipe At Raj Thackeray

 The Trinamool Congress made a clean sweep on Saturday winning both the Asansol Lok Sabha and the Ballygunge assembly seats in West Bengal while the Congress bagged a constituency each in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh and the Rashtriya Janata Dal one in Bihar in the bypolls to these seats with the Bharatiya Janata Party drawing a blank.

Bypolls: TMC, Congress, RJD Win; BJP Draws Blank

Mumbai: In a significant move, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government has made police permission compulsory for using loudspeakers at all religious places in the state, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said here on Monday.Any unauthorised use of loudspeakers at all religious places or religious functions would invite strict punitive action against the violators, he added.Walse-Patil said that a detailed notification on the proposal with the guidelines would be issued in the next couple of days by the home department.The MVA decision comes amid a raging controversy over the use of loudspeakers at mosques raked up last week by the Opposition Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray and endorsed by activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party.Among other things, Raj Thackeray had issued an 'ultimatum' of May 3 to the state government to ensure all mosques' loudspeakers are "silenced or dismantled", failing which the MNS workers would blare out Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers outside mosques in retaliation, raising apprehensions of a law-and-order situation. Under fire from various quarters, Raj Thackeay on Sunday clarified that he was not against religious activities but only opposing the use of loudspeakers which had social and health implications for all people.—IANS

: In a significant move, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government has made police permission compulsory for using loudspeakers at all religious places in the state, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said here on Monday.

Maha: Police Nod Compulsory For Loudspeakers At All Religious Places

Mumbai: Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday. Shiv Sena workers, who have strongly objected to the politician couple's plan, have been camping outside 'Matoshree' since Friday morning. Taking an aggressive stand, the party leaders and workers have said they will not let the couple go back without 'prasad' "if they dared to turn up"."Around 8.45 am, angry Shiv Sena supporters broke through the barricades placed at a distance of around 50 meters from the apartment where the Ranas own a flat in suburban Khar. They tried to enter the apartment premises. Shiv Sena supporters raised slogans in support of Thackeray and dared the couple to step out of the residence," the police official said.However, the police personnel deployed at the spot brought the situation under control and dissuaded the party workers from indulging in anything that would create a law and order problem, he said.On Friday, Mumbai police had served a notice to Amaravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband, Badnera MLA Ravi Rana, asking them not to disturb the law and order situation in the city.Navneet Rana has been provided Y category security by the central government. Ravi Rana had earlier told reporters in Mumbai that he had demanded the chief minister read Hanuman Chalisa on Hanuman Jayanti "to rid Maharashtra of crises and attain peace for the state," but Thackeray had "refused" to do so.The city police have stepped up security outside 'Matoshree'. Barricades have been placed on the road leading to the Thackeray residence to avoid crowding, the official said."In order to maintain law and order situation, the police have increased security and deployed large number of personnel outside 'Matoshree'," the official said.Early this morning, senior police officers, including zonal DCP Manjunath Singe, visited the place and took stock of security deployment, he said.Besides 'Matoshree', the police have also increased security at 'Varsha', the official residence of CM Thackeray in south Mumbai.A Shiv Sena supporter camping outside 'Matoshree' said, "We have accepted the challenge of the Rana couple. Let them come, we are ready to welcome them and give them 'prasad'."Talking to reporters, Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai said, "'Matoshree' is a temple for Shiv Sainiks. Hindutva is in Shiv Sena's blood, nobody should teach us Hindutva. People are aware of the work done during the pandemic by CM Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government."—PTI&nbsp;

 Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.  However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday

Hanuman Chalisa Row:  Sena Protest Against MP Rana

 Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana, who have decided to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's house in Mumbai, police said.

However, the police brought the situation under control and stopped the party workers from going further, an official said. The Ranas had on Friday said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the personal residence of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in suburban Bandra at 9 am on Saturday


 

New Delhi: The new police commissioner of Nashik in Maharashtra has cancelled his predecessor's order banning bhajans or songs on loudspeakers 15 minutes before and after 'azaan' prayer within a 100-metre radius of mosques in the city, an official said on Thursday.Jayant Naiknavare, who took over as the Nashik commissioner of police last week, has cancelled the order given by his predecessor Deepak Pandey over loudspeakers. Last week, the state government had promoted or transferred around 40 senior police officers, including Pandey, who was appointed special inspector general (prevention of atrocities on women department). Against the backdrop of a row over loudspeakers, Pandey had issued directive on April 17 stating that no one will be allowed to play bhajan or songs on loudspeakers within 15-minute period before and after the call of 'azaan' in the radius of 100 metres of any mosque in Nashik city.The order was issued in the wake of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray's demand that loudspeakers atop mosques be removed by May 3 or else Hanuman Chalisa will be played on loudspeakers in front of them at a higher volume.However, new police commissioner Naiknavare took stock of the situation about loudspeakers in the city and cancelled the order issued by former C P Pandey, a police official said.A circular to this effect was issued, in which Naiknavare said the order issued earlier by the state home department on the use of loudspeakers was appropriate and added that the Supreme Court order on the issue will be implemented, he added.—PTI

The new police commissioner of Nashik in Maharashtra has cancelled his predecessor's order banning bhajans or songs on loudspeakers 15 minutes before and after 'azaan' prayer within a 100-metre radius of mosques in the city, an official said on Thursday. Jayant Naiknavare, who took over as the Nashik commissioner of police last week, has cancelled the order given by his predecessor Deepak Pandey over 

Nashik Top Cop Scraps Ban On Bhajans Before Azaan

The new police commissioner of Nashik in Maharashtra has cancelled his predecessor's order banning bhajans or songs on loudspeakers 15 minutes before and after 'azaan' prayer within a 100-metre radius of mosques in the city, an official said on Thursday.
Jayant Naiknavare, who took over as the Nashik commissioner of police last week, has cancelled the order given by his predecessor Deepak Pandey over 




New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has submitted to the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission that he has no allegation against any political agenda in connection with the January 2018 violence at a war memorial in Maharashtra's Pune district, but called for the Indian Penal Code's sedition provision to be repealed or stop its 'misuse'.Pawar filed an additional affidavit before the probe panel on April 11, a copy of which was made available on Thursday.He had earlier submitted an affidavit before the commission on October 8, 2018.The commission on Wednesday issued summons to Pawar, asking him to appear before it on May 5 and 6 for recording of evidence.Pawar in his additional affidavit reiterated that he has no personal knowledge or information about the sequence of events leading to the incident at the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune on January 1, 2018.'I have no allegation to make against any political agenda or motive behind the unfortunate incident,' the affidavit said.Pawar, however, sought for changes in the legal system given the ever-changing socio economic and political conditions in the country.'The law of the land is dynamic and not static,' said the NCP chief, whose party currently shares power with the Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra.Pawar in his affidavit said the misuse of Indian Penal Code Section 124A, pertaining to sedition, should be stopped with amendments or the said section itself should be repealed.'Section 124A of the IPC which deals with sedition was inserted by the Britishers in 1870 to control the uprisings against them and to suppress the freedom movements. However, in recent times this section is often misused against people who criticise the government, thus suppressing their liberty and tends to stifle any voice of dissent raised in a peaceful and democratic way,' the former Union minister said in the affidavit.Seeking for the section to be repealed, Pawar said, 'I have a reason to say so because provisions of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) are sufficient for protecting the national integrity.'The senior politician also called for amendments in the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) so as to empower police and executive magistrates to control and deter a riot-like situation and for the maintenance of law and order.'The police and executive magistrates in such situations need to be insulated from any political interference from the state government or the central government,' Pawar said in his affidavit.The NCP chief also sought stricter punishment for people arrested for disturbing public peace and law and order.Pawar further called for monitoring of the social and digital media due to increasing posts with 'fake propaganda', and for amendments to the Information Technology Act, which, he said, was outdated as it was drafted two decades ago.The Koregaon-Bhima probe panel had earlier summoned Pawar in 2020, but he could not appear before it due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. Later, another summons was issued to Pawar for appearing before the commission on February 23 and 24 this year, but he had sought a fresh date, saying he wanted to file an additional affidavit before recording his testimony.In February 2020, social group Vivek Vichar Manch member Sagar Shinde filed an application before the commission, seeking the summoning of Pawar in view of certain statements made by him in the media about the 2018 caste violence.The two-member probe commission comprises the Calcutta High Court's retired Chief Justice J N Patel and former Maharashtra chief secretary Sumit Mullick.According to the Pune police, violence had broken out on January 1, 2018 between caste groups near the war memorial in Pune district during the bicentennial anniversary of the 1818 battle of Koregaon-Bhima.One person had died and several others, including 10 police personnel, were injured in the incident.The Pune police had alleged that provocative speeches at the 'Elgar Parishad conclave', held on December 31, 2017, in Pune, triggered the violence near Koregaon-Bhima.The police claimed the Elgar Parishad conclave organisers had links with Maoists.—PTI

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has submitted to the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission that he has no allegation against any political agenda in connection with the January 2018 violence at a war memorial in Maharashtra's Pune district, but called for the Indian Penal Code's sedition provision to be repealed or stop its 'misuse'.

Koregaon-Bhima: Pawar Seeks Repeal Of Sedition Law

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has submitted to the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission that he has no allegation against any political agenda in connection with the January 2018 violence at a war memorial in Maharashtra's Pune district, but called for the Indian Penal Code's sedition provision to be repealed or stop its 'misuse'.





New Delhi: The Mumbai police on Friday told a special court that while on the face of it the plan of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai may look innocent, but it was in fact a 'big plot' to challenge the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.The police also claimed that the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the political opponents of Thackeray were trying to create an atmosphere to project him as anti-Hindu and not sponsoring the cause of Hinduism, and that in the present regime it was difficult for Hindus to practise their religion freely and thus the feeling of hate would increase against the Muslim religion causing a rift. The police made these claims in an affidavit filed through special public prosecutor Pradip Gharat opposing the bail pleas of the Rana couple, who were arrested on April 23 on sedition and other charges.Special judge R N Rokade said he would hear the bail pleas on Saturday.The couple is presently in judicial custody. The police said if released on bail the accused, who are influential persons, would tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses.The police further said that since the accused are not permanent residents of Mumbai, if granted bail they may not be available for the probe and trial.The police in their affidavit claimed that the BJP, which is the opposition party in Maharashtra, has been strongly opposing the administrative policies of the present government and criticising the ruling Shiv Sena for its stand on Hindutva.They claimed that the BJP was doing so as it was deprived of power after the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the NCP and the Congress to form a government.'The opposite parties and political opponents of Shiv Sena have clashes on the point of religion. Some political parties and independent political leaders are raising issues and alleging that the chief minister of Maharashtra is against Hindutva and also alleging that the government is sponsoring the cause of other religions,' the police said. The police in their affidavit also rubbished the claims of the Ranas that they only wanted to chant Hanuman Chalisa, which is an act of prayer, and hence it cannot be construed as an offence.'However innocent these pleadings may seem like, the respondent (police) says that these submissions are the most hypocrite as the plan to read Hanuman Chalisa at 'Matoshree', the private residence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, is a big plot to create a challenge to the law and order situation,' the affidavit said.They added that the plan was intended to cause a collapse of the law and order situation and then seek for dissolution of the present government by the Governor of Maharashtra. 'The investigation has revealed that the accused persons who are strong political opponents of the present government have now taken a very smart move to make use of the sacred 'stotra' (religious book),' the police said. 'By creating a law and order situation of this nature, the accused persons are trying to show that the present state government is not sponsoring the cause of Hinduism and the chief minister is against Hindus,' it added.The police further claimed that criticism, even though strongly worded, should be done within reasonable limits. 'However, when the use of words has the pernicious tendency or intention of creating public disorder or disturbance of law and order then the provisions of sedition are attracted,' the police said in its affidavit.They added that when words are spoken with an intention to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against the government and Constitution of India, or to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of citizens, then the provision of sedition is made out.The police further said that the Ranas did not pay heed to the notice issued to them on April 22, requesting them to not go to the chief minister's residence. The accused created feelings of hatred, enmity and rivalry amongst the public and the serious offence of sedition was made out against them, it added. While Navneet Rana is lodged in Byculla women's prison, her husband, who is MLA from Badnera in eastern Maharashtra, is in Taloja jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai.—PTI

The Mumbai police on Friday told a special court that while on the face of it the plan of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai may look innocent, but it was in fact a 'big plot' to challenge the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Hanuman Chalisa Row BJP Plot Against Uddhav: Police

The Mumbai police on Friday told a special court that while on the face of it the plan of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai may look innocent, but it was in fact a 'big plot' to challenge the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.




Mumbai/Pune: Catapulted suddenly to the state political mainstream with a deafening anti-loudspeakers campaign, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray reached Pune on Friday for his much-anticipated rally in Aurangabad on Sunday.Raj, 53, is expected to chart out his fresh political voyage through the Aurangabad rally and hopes to rattle the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, headed by his estranged cousin, Shiv Sena President and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, along with Nationalist Congress Party-Congress.Shiv Sena Chief Spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut reiterated the MVA stance that the Centre should formulate a national policy on loudspeakers and accused "some abhongas" (loudspeakers) of attempting to foment strife in the state".Akin to his uncle, the late Shiv Sena founder, Balasaheb Thackeray, Raj started for Pune sporting a saffron shawl, and he occasionally adopts the patriarch's famed mannerisms and oratory styles that oft bring down the roof, but barely translate into votes at the hustings.The rally timing is considered strategic, as a series of top civic bodies in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Aurangabad, etc are slated to go to polls soon as a run-up to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in 2024, where the MNS hopes to make a killing.Though cosy with the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the MNS is still shy of openly proclaiming their apolitical dalliance', but nevertheless attempting to grab a piece of the Hindutva cake that is claimed by both the BJP and Shiv Sena. After a night camp in Pune, Raj will get the blessings of a priest and then leave for Aurangabad on Saturday morning in a royal motorcade of over 400 vehicles, pay respects at the samadhi of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and then reach Aurangabad, where he will spend the night before the Big Rally day.Figuring on the world tourism map with several major historical monuments like the Ajanta-Ellora Caves, Aurangabad has a substantial Muslim population and is currently represented in Lok Sabha by All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen's Syed Imtiaz Jaleel.With Ramzan at the fag-end and Raj spearheading his anti-loudspeakers campaign on mosques with a deadline to yank them off by May 3, the Maharashtra government has geared itself to ensure the MNS rally passes off without untoward incidents.Raj has also plans to visit Ayodhya and pray at Lord Ram Temple there on June 5. On Thursday, he lavished praise on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for dismantling around 11,000 loudspeakers from different places of worship there.After the May 1 rally got conditional permission, 2,000 police personnel and other forces, CCTVs, dog squads, metal detectors, drone surveillance, etc. shall be on high alert at the sprawling S.M. Ground here.Sena's Raut, ex-MP from Aurangabad Chandrakant Khaire, NCP's Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, MP Supriya Sule and Congress leaders have scoffed at the MNS's much-hyped event, saying there are bigger problems confronting the state and the nation.In the past, the MVA leaders have openly sniggered at how the mercurial and maverick Raj got scared by "just one Enforcement Directorate notice" (August 2019), or the frequent changes in his stand that relegated the MNS to the state's political footpath for a large part of its 18-year existence.—IANS

Catapulted suddenly to the state political mainstream with a deafening anti-loudspeakers campaign, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray reached Pune on Friday for his much-anticipated rally in Aurangabad on Sunday. Raj, 53, is expected to chart out his fresh political voyage through the Aurangabad rally and hopes to rattle the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, headed by his estranged cousin, Shiv Sena President and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, along with Nationalist Congress Party-Congress.

Raj Thackeray Hopes To 'Shake' MVA Government From Aurangabad

Catapulted suddenly to the state political mainstream with a deafening anti-loudspeakers campaign, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray reached Pune on Friday for his much-anticipated rally in Aurangabad on Sunday.
Raj, 53, is expected to chart out his fresh political voyage through the Aurangabad rally and hopes to rattle the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, headed by his estranged cousin, Shiv Sena President and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, along with Nationalist Congress Party-Congress.




Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday accused the BJP of conspiring to divide Hindus in the state.Thackeray made the comments during his online address to Shiv Sena’s district chiefs from Konkan region, and from western and north Maharashtra, according to the points shared by the party from his speech.Without naming the BJP, Thackeray alleged that it was trying to paint Maharashtra as “anti-Hindu” as it allegedly did in the cases of West Bengal and Kerala – both non-BJP ruled states.The BJP has been targeting its erstwhile ally, the Shiv Sena, over the issue of Hindutva ever since the Thackeray-led party formed government in Maharashtra by joining hands with the NCP and the Congress.“We always say Maharashtra shows the direction. Now, Maharashtra should show the direction again…It is the BJP’s conspiracy to divide Hindus and Marathis and non-Marathis in Maharashtra,” Thackeray as alleged.Interacting with media persons after Thackeray’s address to the party leaders, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told reporters here that the former laid emphasis on building the party organisation. Thackeray also made a pitch for retaliation if political attacks are made on the Shiv Sena, Raut said.“He (Thackeray) said we will need to unmask the pretentious elements. There is no challenge of duplicate Hindutvavadis before the Shiv Sena,” Raut said.The Parliamentarian added that Thackeray also expressed his resolve to visit parts of Maharashtra in the near future.&nbsp;—PTI&nbsp;

BJP Conspiring To Divide Hindus In Maha: Uddhav

 Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday accused the BJP of conspiring to divide Hindus in the state.
Thackeray made the comments during his online address to Shiv Sena’s district chiefs from Konkan region, and from western and north Maharashtra, according to the points shared by the party from his speech.




Mumbai: Ahead of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's rally in Aurangabad, the Shiv Sena on Friday said it can give a befitting reply to any kind of aggression.Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with party spokespersons in Mumbai, two days before his estranged cousin Raj's scheduled rally.Speaking to reporters later, Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party uses All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi to split Muslim votes, and now some "Hindu Owaisis" have been created to attack "Shiv Sena's Hindutva"."The Sena always has the capacity to give a tit-for-tat kind of response to any aggression. He (Uddhav Thackeray) made it very clear to us in today's meeting," said party spokesperson Sachin Ahir. "Some people are trying to change the narrative. We as spokespersons of the party should be ready for such tricks. We also need to talk about the work done by the Sena, the CM told us," he added.Another Sena leader said that Uddhav Thackeray also asked party workers to expose the BJP's "hollow Hindutva" and counter its narrative with the Sena's performance.The Sena chief also wondered 'where was Raj Thackeray' when the Babri mosque in Ayodhya was demolished, he said.The MNS chief earlier this month tried to corner the Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra by demanding that loudspeakers on mosques be removed, and threatened to play the Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques at louder volume if the demand was not met. Sanjay Raut, who was also present at the meeting on Friday, later lashed out at Raj Thackeray without naming him."When Babri mosque was demolished, where were these people? Shiv Sena workers shed their blood on the streets but people like him did not even shed sweat. He has done nothing at all," Raut said."The BJP uses (AIMIM chief) Asaduddin Owaisi to eat into Muslim votes during elections, similarly some Hindu Owaisis have been created to attack the Hindutva of the Shiv Sena. It will boomerang on the BJP one day," he added."Sena workers shed their blood and lost their lives in the 1992 communal riots in Mumbai. Where were these people (the BJP) at that time? They were hiding in their dens," Raut said.—PTI

 Ahead of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's rally in Aurangabad, the Shiv Sena on Friday said it can give a befitting reply to any kind of aggression. Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with party spokespersons in Mumbai, two days before his estranged cousin Raj's scheduled rally.

Sena Warns Thackeray Ahead Of MNS Rally

 Ahead of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's rally in Aurangabad, the Shiv Sena on Friday said it can give a befitting reply to any kind of aggression.
Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with party spokespersons in Mumbai, two days before his estranged cousin Raj's scheduled rally.




Mumbai:&nbsp;As many as nearly 60 per cent of non-Marathi respondents in Mumbai have said that they have never been treated badly by local Marathis.As per an IANS-CVoter survey, the question was posed to only those who were born outside Maharashtra.The question posed was when you are outside your home, have you or any of your family members ever been treated badly by local Marathis?As per the survey, 59.9 per cent said they have never been treated badly while 22.5 per cent said sometimes they have been treated badly, and 10.4 per cent said they have been often treated badly.To another question on whether outsiders are a threat to Marathi language and culture, which was asked only to Marathis, 58.3 per cent said the outsiders are not a threat, while 25 per cent said they are a threat to a great extent, while 8.3 per cent said they are a threat to some extent.On Maharashtra Day which falls every year on May 1, residents of the city revealed startling preferences and opinions during a survey conducted by C Voter for IANS in the last week of April.Among the many questions asked about political, social and local issues, one was: Who do you think has been the most influential politician in Mumbai since Maharashtra became a state in 1960? While the media in Delhi seems to think that Sharad Pawar, the formidable and veteran chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, should be the pick, residents of Mumbai were of the opinion that the late Balasaheb Thackeray has been the most influential politician.The respondents were divided into two categories: those born in Maharashtra and those born outside the state. Both categories overwhelmingly favoured Balasaheb Thackeray.More than 46 per cent of local Marathis chose Balasaheb Thackeray while more than 50 per cent of non-Marathis picked him as their choice. Sharad Pawar, who could possibly lead the opposition challenge to Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is nowhere close to the founder of Shiv Sena. Just about 8.4 per cent of local Marathis opted for Pawar while a meagre 4.5 per cent of non-Marathis opted for him. —IANS

As many as nearly 60 per cent of non-Marathi respondents in Mumbai have said that they have never been treated badly by local Marathis.  As per an IANS-CVoter survey, the question was posed to only those who were born outside Maharashtra.

Nearly 60 per cent non-Marathis in Mumbai say they have never been treated badly

As many as nearly 60 per cent of non-Marathi respondents in Mumbai have said that they have never been treated badly by local Marathis.

As per an IANS-CVoter survey, the question was posed to only those who were born outside Maharashtra.




Mumbai:&nbsp;On Maharashtra Day, which falls on May 1, residents of the city revealed startling preferences and opinions during a survey conducted by C Voter for IANS in the last week of April. Among the many questions asked about political, social and local issues, one was: Who do you think has been the most influential politician in Mumbai since Maharashtra became a state in 1960? While the media in Delhi seems to think Sharad Pawar, the formidable and veteran chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, should be the pick, residents of Mumbai were of the opinion that the late Balasaheb Thackeray has been the most influential politician. The respondents were divided into two categories: those born in Maharashtra and those born outside the state. Both categories overwhelmingly favoured Balasaheb Thackeray. More than 46 per cent of local Marathis chose Balasaheb Thackeray while more than 50 per cent of non-Marathis picked him as their choice. Sharad Pawar, who could possibly lead the opposition challenge to Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is nowhere close to the founder of Shiv Sena. Just about 8.4 per cent of local Marathis opted for Sharad Pawar while a meagre 4.5 per cent of non-Marathis opted for him. In fact, Pawar was well behind former Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis who was the preferred choice of 9.5 per cent of both local Marathis and non-Marathis. Even Union Minister Nitin Gadkari ranked higher than Sharad Pawar with 8 per cent of Mumbaikars voting for him. The current Chief Minister and son of Balasaheb, Uddhav Thackeray managed to get just about 4.5 per cent of the votes. The results of the survey should be food for thought for the MVA that currently rules Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP formed the MVA after the 2019 assembly elections in the state. —IANS

 On Maharashtra Day, which falls on May 1, residents of the city revealed startling preferences and opinions during a survey conducted by C Voter for IANS in the last week of April.

Balasaheb Thackeray Rated Most Influential Political Leader Of Mumbai

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik, arrested by the ED in a money laundering case, was admitted to hospital on Monday after he complained of fever and diarrhoea, his lawyer told a special court here and claimed that Malik’s health had deteriorated and he was in a “serious” condition.Last week, Malik (62), who was lodged in the Arthur Road jail here, had sought interim bail on medical ground from the special court for trial of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs.When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, Malik’s lawyer Kushal Mor told the court that when the NCP leader’s family members went to give him home food, they were told that he was shifted to the state-run J J Hospital. Mor also told the court that Malik was ill since the last three days and that his condition has deteriorated and is “serious”. The lawyer prayed that Malik be shifted to a private hospital, saying that several medical test facilities are not available at the J J Hospital. Special judge R N Rokade expressed concern over the prison authorities not informing the court about Malik’s condition and that he was taken to hospital. The judge sought a report from the hospital and posted the matter for hearing on May 5. Malik had sought interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds, citing multiple illnesses, including kidney ailments and swelling in legs. The minister was arrested on February 23 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He is currently in judicial custody.The ED’s case is based on an FIR filed recently by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Dawood Ibrahim and others.The NIA had filed its criminal complaint under sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).The ED had recently filed an over 5,000-page charge sheet in the case against Malik. The NCP leader had denied all charges levelled against him and moved the Supreme Court against an order of the Bombay HC, which had rejected his interim application seeking immediate release from jail. The Supreme Court had also refused to grant him any relief, noting the probe into the case is at a nascent stage.—PTI

Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik, arrested by the ED in a money laundering case, was admitted to hospital on Monday after he complained of fever and diarrhoea, his lawyer told a special court here and claimed that Malik’s health had deteriorated and he was in a “serious” condition.

Nawab Malik Admitted To Hospital, Lawyer Says Serious

Mumbai: In a strong rebuttal to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's statement, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said it was being contemplated to take back Kannada speaking regions from the neighbouring state.Bommai said there are Kannada speaking regions in Maharashtra and it is being contemplated on how to take them back.Pawar had stirred a controversy after he said that an agitation will be launched to include the Karnataka cities of Belagavi, and Nippani to Maharashtra. In response, Bommai claimed that there is a political crisis in Maharashtra and the entire government is in rough waters.The border is very clear between Karnataka and Maharashtra, he said, adding: "We will not yield to them. They also know it. They are raking it up to survive in politics.""I strongly urge Maharashtra political leaders not to use such language for political gains," he appealed and said that there was question of giving away even an inch of land from Karnataka.—IANS

 In a strong rebuttal to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's statement, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said it was being contemplated to take back Kannada speaking regions from the neighbouring state.

We're Thinking Of Taking Back Kannada-Speaking Regions From Maha: Bommai

 In a strong rebuttal to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's statement, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said it was being contemplated to take back Kannada speaking regions from the neighbouring state.





Mumbai: Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Monday said MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s speech in Aurangabad, wherein he remained firm on the May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers from mosques, was aimed at “creating a divide in society”, and hinted at action against him. Walse Patil also said Thackeray’s speech at a rally in Aurangabad on Sunday was centred around attacking only NCP president Sharad Pawar, whose party currently shares power with the Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra.The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head had accused the NCP chief of playing caste politics in Maharashtra, and said he was allergic to the word ‘Hindu’.“His speech was an attempt to create a divide in society and hatred. Police will listen to his speech and decide what is objectionable and a decision will be taken on this,” Walse Patil said.The minister also said the Aurangabad police commissioner will see what conditions laid down by the police, while granting permission for Raj Thackeray’s rally, were violated. The Aurangabad police chief will take a legal opinion and send a report to his seniors, Walse Patil said.“A call will be taken accordingly. I will talk to top officials tomorrow and by then, we will also get a report from Aurangabad. The government will take a decision on this,” the minister said and appealed to people to maintain calm. At the rally in Aurangabad in the state’s Marathwada region, Raj Thackeray had said he was firm on the May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers, which he termed as a nuisance, from mosques, and added that if it was not done, then all Hindus should play Hanuman Chalisa outside these religious places. The MNS chief had said if the Uttar Pradesh government could remove the loudspeakers, what was stopping the Maharashtra government, led by his estranged cousin Uddhav Thac-keray, from doing so. However, in a veiled attack on Raj Thackeray, the chief minister had on Sunday said he does not pay attention to “new players” of Hindutva. Without naming the MNS, the CM also said the party was making experiments to see if any cause was working for it or not.—PTI

 Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Monday said MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s speech in Aurangabad, wherein he remained firm on the May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers from mosques, was aimed at “creating a divide in society”, and hinted at action against him. Walse Patil also said Thackeray’s speech at a rally in Aurangabad on Sunday was centred around attacking only NCP president Sharad Pawar, whose party currently shares power with the Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra.

Maha Minister Hints At Action Against Raj Thackeray

 Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Monday said MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s speech in Aurangabad, wherein he remained firm on the May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers from mosques, was aimed at “creating a divide in society”, and hinted at action against him. Walse Patil also said Thackeray’s speech at a rally in Aurangabad on Sunday was centred around attacking only NCP president Sharad Pawar, whose party currently shares power with the Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra.



 

Mumbai: A court in western Maharashtra's Sangli district has issued a non-bailable warrant against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray in connection with a 14-year-old case.In 2008, Thackeray was booked under Sections 109 and 117 (abetment of offence) of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly making inflammatory speeches.While issuing the non-bailable warrant on April 6, Judicial Magistrate, First Class at Shirala in Sangli district asked Mumbai police commission to arrest the MNS chief and present him before the court. The judge issued the warrant against Thackeray and another MNS leader Shirish Parkar through Mumbai police commissioner and Kherwadi police station respectively as they failed to produce themselves before the court during the case proceeding, said assistant public prosecutor, Jyoti Patil.She said the court has asked police to implement the warrant before June 8 and produce both the leaders before the court.In 2008, MNS workers had staged a protest in Shirala against the arrest of Thackeray in an agitation seeking priority for local youth in jobs.A local MNS functionary claimed there was a government rule which states that political cases prior to 2012 should be withdrawn.However, this case is being raked up as Thackeray raised the issue of loudspeakers atop mosques, he added.Maharashtra police chief Rajnish Seth on Tuesday said Aurangabad police commissioner will take appropriate legal action against Thackeray over his speech against loudspeakers atop mosques.Notices under Section 149 of Code of Criminal Procedure (preventing cognisable offences) have been issued to over 13,000 persons, he said."Aurangabad CP is looking into the speech. He will take whatever legal action that is needed," Seth told reporters, two days after Thackeray, at a rally in Aurangabad, called for 'silencing' loudspeakers from the mosques from May 4.In the Aurangabad rally, Thackeray had asked people to play Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques from May 4 if loudspeakers there were not removed.Earlier on Tuesday, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Seth and senior police officials reviewed the law-and-order situation in the backdrop of the MNS chief's deadline. "Maharashtra police are capable of handling any kind of law-and-order situation. SRPF and Home Guards have been deployed in the state," Seth said."I appeal everyone to maintain peace," he added.Seth said police are prepared to maintain law and order in the state and stern action will be taken against anyone seeking to disturb communal harmony.Leave of all police personnel has been cancelled, he said.Police are fully prepared to tackle the situation in the state and have been given clear instructions to take stern action against those creating trouble, he said. Police have taken pre-emptive action against anti-social elements to avoid any untoward incident, he said.—PTI

 A court in western Maharashtra's Sangli district has issued a non-bailable warrant against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray in connection with a 14-year-old case.

Raj Thackeray Faces NBW; DGP Vows  Action Over Speech

Mumbai : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers played Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker near a mosque in Charkop area of Mumbai on Wednesday morning, a day after their party chief Raj Thackeray gave a call to recite the religious hymn to protest against loudspeakers blaring 'azaan'.In the background, the 'azaan' could be heard from a loudspeaker of a nearby mosque.In neighbouring Thane city, some MNS activists played the Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker at a spot in Indira Nagar area. No mosque was located in the vicinity.Undeterred by the registration of a case against him, MNS president Raj Thackeray had on Tuesday urged people to play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers on Wednesday wherever they hear loudspeakers "blaring azaan (Islamic prayer call)".In an open letter, Thackeray had asked people to lodge complaints with police by dialling 100 if they are disturbed by the sound of 'azaan'."I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May, if you hear the loudspeaker blaring with azaan; in those places, play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. That's when they will realise the hindrance of these loudspeakers," the MNS leader had said.Police have already beefed up security in Mumbai and several other parts of the state, especially where the MNS has a sizeable presence—PTI

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers played Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker near a mosque in Charkop area of Mumbai on Wednesday morning, a day after their party chief Raj Thackeray gave a call to recite the religious hymn to protest against loudspeakers blaring 'azaan'.

MNS workers play Hanuman Chalisa near mosque in Mumbai

New Delhi: Stepping up his attack on the ruling Shiv Sena in Mahara-shtra, Maharashtra Navni-rman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday tweeted an old video of late Sena founder Bal Thac-keray in which the latter was seen saying the day his party comes to power, praying of namaz on roads will be stopped and loudspeakers from mosques will be removed.Raj Thackeray had on Tuesday urged people to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers on Wednesday wherever they hear loudspeakers "blaring azaan (Islamic prayer call)". In an open letter, the MNS leader had asked people to lodge complaint with police by dialling 100 if they are disturbed by the sound of 'azaan'.In the 36-second video tweeted on Wednesday by the MNS chief, Bal Thackeray was seen draped in a saffron shawl with the Shiv Sena symbol in the background.The Sena supremo was seen in the video saying, "The day my government comes to power, praying of namaz on roads will be stopped because religion should be such that it doesn't create an impediment in national development.""If our Hindu religion is creating an impediment then tell me, I will take care of it...Loudspeakers will be removed from masjids," Bal Thackeray said in the old clip.The Sena founder died in November 2012.His son Uddhav Thackeray currently heads the three-party Maharashtra government, comprising the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress.The video clip comes after MNS workers played Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers near some mosques on Wednesday to protest the use of loudspeakers during 'azaan', following instructions from Raj Thackeray.—PTI

 Stepping up his attack on the ruling Shiv Sena in Mahara-shtra, Maharashtra Navni-rman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday tweeted an old video of late Sena founder Bal Thac-keray in which the latter was seen saying the day his party comes to power, praying of namaz on roads will be stopped and loudspeakers from mosques will be removed.

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