Mumbai: A case has been registered against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief 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.
Thackeray had further said that he was not against any prayer, but people should follow their devotion in their respective homes and should not let others suffer. Following this declaration by Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers are playing the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers in various locations of the state. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists tried to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers in Mumbai’s Kurla and Ghatkopar, but the police intervened and issued a notice to the them.
The leader’s remarks were condemned by many, but most prominently by Maharashtra minister and his nephew Aaditya Thackeray. Aaditya Thackeray had alleged that the MNS workers and leaders were just trying to “revive their dead party”.
Speaking of Hindutva Aaditya said, “Our Hindutva is known to everyone. We will fulfil what we have promised (during elections) to the people”.
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