Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has up “Chalo Ayodhya” banners in Mumbai, urging people to accompany party president Raj Thackeray on his June 5 pilgrimage to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
In the poster written in Hindi, it reads, “Jai Shri Ram. Dharmada nahi main bhi dharm abhimani. Chalo Ayodhya (loosely translated as Jai Shri Ram. I am not religious for goodness’ sake. I am a religious person. Let’s go to Ayodhya.)”
On Sunday, the MNS chief described the use of loudspeakers in mosques as “a social issue, not a religious one,” and vowed to stick to the May 3 deadline for their removal.
In the midst of a political squabble over the usage of loudspeakers at mosques, MNS head Raj Thackeray said on Sunday that if loudspeakers are not removed, the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ will be played at twice the level of azaan (a Muslim call to prayer) starting May 4.
On Sunday during a rally at Sanskrutik Mandal Maidan in Aurangabad the MNS chief had said, “Today is the first day of Maharashtra (Maharashtra Day). I won’t listen from the 4th day from now. Wherever we will see a loudspeaker, we will also chant ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ in front of the loudspeaker in double volume.”
Mr Thackeray further added and said that loudspeaker is not a religious issue but it is a national issue and warned that if they don’t stop, then we will also take a stand.
“This is not a religious issue. It is a national issue but if you stop us, we will also take a stand. All the loudspeaker speaker is not under the law and it is illegal. The Supreme Court already said it was illegal, it was not a matter of Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). When we take sabha they say it was an education zone, a temple zone, you can’t take sabha, but for them, there is an objection. Who gave you rights?” asked the MNS chief.
On the loudspeaker issue, he said, “One journalist asked me why do you take a stand on loudspeakers today. I said that we chant ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and Muslims should listen. A Nashik journalist told me that he is a Muslim and that he also has a problem with loudspeakers. His children can’t sleep.”
He further requested the state police to stop the use of loudspeakers, otherwise “we won’t keep quiet”.
He also announced that he will do more rallies in Marathwada, Vidarbha and other cities as well.
“I will do rally in all cities Vidarbha, Kokan, west Maharashtra, east Maharashtra,” he said.
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