Nashik Police ‘bans’ loudspeakers, bars bhajans around 15 minutes before & after Azaan

New Delhi: Amid a raging controversy over Azaan Vs Hanuman Chalisa, the Nashik Police in Maharashtra has banned loudspeakers without permit, within 100 metres distance of mosques.

In its order, the Nashik Police has said that those planning to mount loudspeakers at religious places will have to take permission from the administration in advance.

This comes just days after Mahasrahtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray gave an ultimatum to Uddhav government on removing loudspeakers on all mosques by May 3.

Nashik police chief Deepak Pandey said that this was done in order to keep law & order in control. Moreover, the Nashik Police has also prohibited chanting of Hanuman Chalisa or bhajans before or after 15 minutes of the Azaan.

“We had issued an order to shut all loudspeakers and DJs. No one can take law into their own hands. If anyone tries to disturb the peace, strict actions will be taken against them,” Nashik Police Commissioner said.

Uddhav Thackeray govt had brushed aside Raj Thackeray’s warning as mere political stunt and accused it be acting at the behest of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for stoking unnecessary political controversy ahead of Municipal elections in Mumbai.

With Raj Thackeray raising the pitch on Hanuman Chalisa and upping the ante on loudspeakers at mosques, the Maha government is not taking his threat lightly.

“If Maharashtra govt doesn’t remove loudspeakers from all mosques across the state by May 3 (the day when Ramzan ends), the MNS volunteers & supporters will play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers in front of mosques,” Raj Thackeray threatened at a public event recently.

He has been reiterating the demand on the pretext that it was not a religious issue but a social issue as the high-decibel sounds emanating from mosques remain a health hazard for the elderly.