INDIA

RPI(A) Will Protect Mosques If Loudspeakers Are Removed: Ramdas Athawale

Mumbai: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said workers of his Republican Party of India (A) will protect mosques if anyone tried to remove loudspeakers from there forcibly. The Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment said his party would ensure the Muslim community does not face injustice.

“We are not against playing Hanuman Chalisa outside a mosque. But we are against the demand of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to remove loudspeakers from mosques. If someone tries to forcibly remove loudspeakers from mosques, RPI(A) workers will protect the mosques,” he said.

He said, “Instructions can be given to reduce the sound of these loudspeakers. The BJP may have supported the demand of MNS, but that does not mean that my party is in favour of such a move. If Raj Thackeray gives an ultimatum to remove these loudspeakers, my party workers will protect the mosques.”

Athawale said that there should be no dispute between Hindus and Muslims.

He said, ‘Mosques have been installed in mosques for a long time, so why raise this issue now? Contrary to Raj Thackeray’s claim that loudspeakers are a social issue, it is actually a religious issue.”

Queried on the chances of the BJP and MNS joining hands, Athawale said he did not think this would happen.

“If they do, we will think about our party’s next moves. We are with the BJP so far,” he added.

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