MUMBAI: A number of mosques in and around Mumbai have cut off loudspeakers during morning prayers following threats by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. Thackeray had instructed his followers to listen to Hanuman Chalisa through loudspeakers if churches use loudspeakers during prayers after May 3. The state is on high alert after the deadline.
Raj Thackeray had reiterated this in a post on Twitter yesterday before the deadline. Churches have been asked to call 100 if they use loudspeakers and collect signatures against the loudspeakers and submit them to local police stations. Raj Thackeray also demanded that illegal churches, loudspeakers and congregational prayers be prosecuted.
Loudspeakers were stopped by most churches during the morning prayers at the wedding. Police had met with the trustees of the churches. They informed the police that the loudspeaker would be stopped in the morning as per the Supreme Court order. A video has emerged of an MNS activist saying that Hanuman Chalisa was ready to be heard through a loudspeaker in Panvel but was not needed as all the three churches in the area were not functioning.
At the same time, the Maharashtra government has put in place massive security measures to prevent the situation from escalating. Leave of all police officers was canceled.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in front of Raj Thackeray’s residence. Aurangabad police on Tuesday filed a case against Thackeray for his Sunday speech on lunatics. Thane police have issued notices against 1,400 people.
English Summary: Raj Thackeray’s “Deadline” Ends, Mumbai On Alert Amid Loudspeaker Row