They would “take to the streets” if further action is taken against the MNS head, warned some leaders of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) soon after the Aurangabad police on Tuesday registered an offence against party chief Raj Thackeray over his speech against loudspeakers at mosques.
Raj Thackeray, during his highly-anticipated speech in Aurangabad on May 1, had asked people to play Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques from May 4 if loudspeakers there were not removed. The Aurangabad police, on Tuesday, registered a case against the MNS chief and the rally organisers under various IPC sections, including 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot).
Avinash Jadhav, the Thane district president of the MNS, hit out at chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over the issue and claimed it was (Shiv Sena founder) Bal Thackeray who had first demanded the removal of loudspeakers from mosques, but his son has booked Raj Thackeray for the same.
News agency PTI quoted Jadhav as saying: “It was expected because the way these people (the government) were troubling us while giving us permission for the rally, they wanted to book Raj saheb. The next step could be his arrest. But our motto is purely social.”
“MNS workers will take to the streets…every Hindu will also do the same and show the government its place,” Jadhav added.
Sandeep Deshpande, another known face from the MNS, said the party was always aware that Raj Thackeray would be booked since the conditions laid down for the rally were stringent. “The government will see the struggle of our party workers on roads. We don’t fear cases. The action is to scare us. We will not be cowed down…protest will take place,” he said.
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