Play Hanuman Chalisa if you hear loudspeakers 'blaring azaan': Raj Thackeray

"I appeal to all Hindus that tomorrow, the 4th of May if you hear the loudspeaker blaring with azaan; in those places, play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers. That's when they will realise the hindrance of these loudspeakers," Raj Thackeray said in the letter.

Mumbai:Amid the registration of a case against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, he appealed to people to play the Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers on Wednesday wherever they hear loudspeakers "blaring azaan (Islamic prayer call)". He urged people to dial 100 to lodge complaints with the police if they are distributed by the sound of 'azaan'.

All local manuals and vigilant citizens should start a signature campaign over the issue of loudspeakers atop mosques and submit it to the police station in their locality, he said. The MNS leader slammed the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the letter, stating that the ruling coalition stands feeble over the issue.

Raj Thackeray questioned, "Are you going to listen to this, or are you going to follow non-religious Sharad Pawar who is responsible for keeping you in power? Let the people of Maharashtra witness what is going to happen. Our country doesn't have so many jails that can arrest the Hindus of our country. This very fact should be recognized by all the governments."

The MNS leader put questions about how is it possible that the government has authorized permissions for unauthorized masjids to use loudspeakers, if permissions are being granted, then Hindu temples need to be given permission to play the loudspeakers.

MNS chief added that if steps are taken to turn the social issue into a religious one, then a befitting reply can be given. He said issues like "unauthorized" mosques, loudspeakers, and prayers being held in the middle of the roads need to be addressed duly.

Earlier in the day, Thackeray has been charged under sections 116 (abetment), 117 (whoever abets the commission of an offense by the public generally or by any number or class of persons exceeding ten), and 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of the Indian Penal Code and section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act against Thackeray, Jawalikar and other unknown persons.

(With agency inputs)