Mumbai: In the posters released by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has been called as the “Hindujannayak”. He is dressed in saffron and is resembling Balasaheb Thackeray in the posters.
After the posters were released, speculations were made that it was an attempt by the MNS to portray Raj Thackeray as the new age Hindutva icon in the state.
But the speculations were denied by the MNS leader MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande. He said that that there is no attempt to brand Raj Thackeray in a particular way.
“Raj (Saab) has himself said that he shouldn’t be given any branding. But what you see in the posters are the emotions of the party cadres and they cannot be stopped from expressing their heart-felt emotions,” he said.
The MNS leader is in Pune for participating in the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. As per the MNS poster, Raj Thackeray will participate in the maha aarti at the Maruti Mandir at 6 pm on April 16 (Hanuman Jayanti).
Recently a case was registered against Raj Thackeray and other party members for brandishing swords at a rally, held on April 12 in Thane. Along with Raj Thackeray, district president of Thane and Palghar Avinash Jadhav and the party’s Thane city president Ravindra More have been named with around eight others. At a public meeting of the MNS on Tuesday, Uddhav Thackeray’s cousin, Raj Thackeray, wielded a sword while restating his demand of removing loudspeakers from Mosques. He has given time till May 3 to the government, to fulfil his demand. He also warned that if his demand will not be fulfilled, he and his party workers should not be held responsible for further action.
Addressing a Rally in Thane on Tuesday evening, he said, “Loudspeakers in mosques should be shut till May 3 otherwise, we will play Hanuman Chalisa on speakers. This is a social issue, not a religious one. I want to tell the state government, we will not go back on this subject, do whatever you want to do.” He questioned that why the issue of loudspeaker is being turned into a religious issue. He said that if the loudspeakers outside mosques weren’t shut he will ensure Hanuman Chalisa will be played on loudspeakers. He said loudspeakers caused inconvenience to students, ailing people across religions and so it should be stopped.
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