New Delhi: Several mosques in and near Mumbai kept loudspeakers off during azaan this morning following a threat by Raj Thackeray, chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers wherever azaan is recited on them.
Taking no chances, the Maharashtra government has made extensive preparations to maintain law and order. Leaves of police personnel have been cancelled and forces deployed in sensitive locations.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey is on a round to various police stations to review the situation in the city, news agency ANI reported.
Aurangabad Police has registered a case against Mr Thackeray for allegedly delivering a provocative speech two days ago. Mumbai Police have issued a notice to the MNS chief under Section 149 of CrPC, invoked to prevent a cognizable offence.
Here are the LIVE Updates on Loudspeaker Row:
May 04, 2022 13:36 (IST)
What Raj Thackeray Said On Loudspeaker Row
"I have been receiving calls from several parts of the state and outside. At many places, my party's workers have been detained and issued notices. Those who are following the law are being detained and those who don't are going scot-free," Raj Thackeray told the media. He said the issue is "not only about mosques and there are several temples with illegal loudspeakers".
May 04, 2022 12:12 (IST)
Loudspeaker Row LIVE Updates
The face-off between Raj Thackeray's party and the state government helmed by his cousin Uddhav Thackeray comes ahead of the civic elections in Maharashtra, in which the BJP is attempting to get the control of the Mumbai civic body.
May 04, 2022 11:25 (IST)
Loudspeaker Row LIVE Updates
At Kalyan, most mosques kept loudspeakers off during the morning azaan. Police had held meetings with the trustees of the mosques who had said that they will keep loudspeakers off during the morning prayers as per a Supreme Court order.
