The state Home Department declared on Monday that the use of loudspeakers at religious buildings will only be allowed with legal authorization, a day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena head Raj Thackeray reaffirmed his warning to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3.
According to the sources, State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil would meet with the Director General of Police Maharashtra to direct all police commissioners and personnel on the problem.
Following the continuing loudspeaker controversy in the state, Thackeray remarked on Sunday that Muslims in the country should understand that “religion is not above law and country,” and that loudspeakers should be removed from mosques.
“We don’t want riots in Maharashtra. No one has opposed the offering of prayers. We want the loudspeakers that are put up in the mosques. And are illegal in the entire country should be taken down. If you do it on loudspeaker, then we will also use loudspeakers for it. Muslims should understand that religion isn’t bigger than the law. After May 3, I will see what to do,” Thackeray said.
The MNS president urged Hindus to “wait till May 3”. Before playing Hanuman Chalisa in front of mosques and not to “take down the loudspeakers.”
“I only have to say to the Hindus across India to wait till May 3. And after that, play Hanuman Chalisa in front of all such mosques that don’t take down the loudspeakers,” he said.