Permission Needed To Use Loudspeakers At Religious Sites: Maharashtra Govt

Mumbai: Maharashtra has decided to allow the use of loudspeakers at religious sites only with due permission, reported ANI. State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil will hold a meeting with the DGP to instruct him to direct police commissioners and officers on this on Monday.

As reported by news agency ANI, Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil will hold a meeting with the Director-General of Police today and will direct him to direct all police commissioners and officers on this decision.

According to ANI, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Patil will also discuss the law and order situation in the state and the issue of the use of loudspeakers in public places.

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

The controversy over the use of loudspeakers escalated when the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray advocated Hindutva and called on “Hindu brothers” to be “ready” if loudspeakers are not removed from mosques by May 3.

However, on Sunday, Thackeray insisted that the loudspeakers broadcasting the call for azaan were a social issue more than a religious one. He told a media briefing in Pune that he does not want peace in the society to be disturbed, “but if the use of loudspeakers continues, 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,” Thackeray said.

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