Maharashtra makes it mandatory for religious sites to seek permission for loudspeaker

Maharashtra Home department has made it mandatory for all religious sites to seek permission for using loudspeakers, after comments from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on azaan.

The state Home department has decided to implement the previous court orders on the use of loudspeakers at religious sites.

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil will hold a meeting with the DGP on Monday to brief him on guidelines for the loudspeaker issue, according to reports.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Patil will also meet to review the law and order situation in the state and the issue of the use of loudspeakers in public places.

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Patil said that the guidelines on the use of loudspeakers in public places will be issued in the next few days, and also that “strict action will be taken against those who attempt to disturb peace in the state”.

Nashik Police has already issued an order making it mandatory to take permission for using loudspeakers and Maharashtra DGP has been directed to hold a review meeting with district administrations for implementing the order.

Nashik’s Commissioner of Police Deepak Pandey was quoted as saying by reports that permission has to be taken for playing Hanuman Chalisa or Bhajan on loudspeakers and it will not be allowed within 15 minutes before and after the Azaan.

The row over loudspeaker use escalated after Raj Thackeray had raised the pitch for Hindutva, calling on “Hindu brothers” to “be prepared” if loudspeakers are not removed from mosques by May 3.

However, on Sunday, Raj insisted that loudspeakers in mosques is more of a social issue than a religious one.

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Raj said in Pune that he doesn’t want peace in the society to be disturbed, “but if the use of loudspeakers continues then they (Muslims) will also have to listen to our prayers on loudspeakers”.

“On May 1, I will address a public gathering at Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). On June 5, I will visit Ayodhya for darshan along with MNS volunteers. I also appeal to others to come to Ayodhya,” Raj said.

(With inputs from Agencies)