Maharashtra Assembly polls: Ahead of the polls, Raj Thackeray reiterates all loudspeaker removal

Raj Thackeray reignited the loudspeaker row and demanded that all loudspeakers be removed from mosques in the state.

Raj Thackeray warned last year that he would recite Hanuman Chalisa if loudspeakers from mosques were not removed. Now, ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray reiterated the demand to remove all loudspeakers from mosques in Maharashtra, adding that if given power, he would ensure that no mosque in the state has loudspeakers.

What did Raj Thackeray say on loudspeakers outside mosques?

Raj Thackeray said, “Loudspeakers that create trouble for people will not be allowed. If they are at a temple and are playing for 365 days, then remove them too. But loudspeakers are not played in temples all the time. People just go to a temple, touch the feet of God, and come back within a minute. I protested against loudspeakers when Balasaheb Thackeray’s son was the Chief Minister. Cases were filed against 17,000 of my workers. I had simply said that if the loudspeakers are not removed, we will recite Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques.”

Raj Thackeray raised the issue of loudspeakers.

Raj Thackeray, who is currently campaigning for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, raised the issue of loudspeakers last year. He had warned if the speakers weren’t removed, he and his party workers would recite Hanuman Chalisa across Maharashtra. He said that certain Muslim leaders are issuing fatwas from mosques, urging votes for the Maha Aghadi (MVA). On Thursday, BJP candidate from the Kankavli assembly constituency, Nitesh Rane, supported MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s statement over loudspeakers on mosques, calling them illegal and a violation of the High Court’s order.

Nitesh Rane said, “Look, the loudspeakers that are installed on mosques are all illegal; they violate the High Court’s order. What Raj Thackeray ji is saying, and what every Hindu activist says, is that if there is to be religious harmony in Maharashtra, and if one law is to apply to all religions, then the laws that apply to Hindus must also apply to others.”