On Monday, the Nashik police commissioner issued an order asking all religious institutions to apply for permission to use loudspeakers by May 3. Nashik Commissioner of Police Deepak Pandey said that anybody who break the order after the deadline will face consequences.
The directive came after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray issued repeated warnings to mosques across the state to remove loudspeakers. Thackeray encouraged Hindus to “wait till May 3” and then play Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques that “don’t take down the loudspeakers” broadcasting the Islamic call to prayer, Azaan.
He claimed that relaying the ‘Azaan’ call is a social rather than a theological matter, adding that “if the use of loudspeakers continues, they (Muslims) would have to listen to our prayers over loudspeakers as well.”
On May 1, he will address a public gathering in Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). Thackeray announced that on June 5 that he and MNS workers would visit Ayodhya for darshan.
Following Thackeray’s concerns, the Nashik police commissioner stated that permission must be obtained before playing Hanuman Chalisa or bhajan on loudspeakers, according to ANI. Pandey stated that Hanuman Chalisa or bhajan will not be allowed within 15 minutes before or after the Azaan, citing the goal of maintaining law and order in the district. According to ANI, it would not be permitted within 100 meters of the mosque.
In the meantime, Maharashtra’s home minister, Dilip Walse Patil, has stated that restrictions on the use of loudspeakers in public areas will be announced in the next 1-2 days. “We’ve been keeping tabs on the state’s law and order issue. Those who attempt to disturb the state’s calm will face severe consequences “The NCP’s head stated, according to ANI.
