Maha MP, MLA call off Hanuman Chalisa stir, held for ‘creating enmity’

Independent MP Navneet Rana and her legislator husband Ravi Rana were arrested on Saturday evening for “creating enmity between different groups” amid high drama, Mumbai Police said, adding the lawmakers from Maharashtra were escorted out of their house in Khar.

According to the police, the Ranas were booked under Section 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 135 of the Mumbai Police Act (violation of prohibitory orders of police).

Earlier in the day, the Ranas called off their plans to recite the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ outside chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s Bandra-based residence Matoshree, a move seen by the ruling Shiv Sena as its success.

Sena cadre laid a siege to the building in suburban Khar where the couple were staying, and said the Ranas would not be allowed to leave until they apologized for insulting Matoshree.

Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi, independent MLA from Badnera in the district, submitted a police complaint against three Sena leaders — Thackeray, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, and transport minister Anil Parab — accusing them of instigating people to “kill” the couple.

Late on Saturday night, an FIR was registered against Sena supporters who tried to enter the building where Ranas were staying, officials said.

Earlier this month, Ravi Rana had demanded that Sena chief Thackeray recite the Hanuman Chalisa on Hanuman Jayanti, while announcing if the CM did not do so, he would go to Matoshree and recite it.

On Saturday morning, he cancelled the plan in view of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Mumbai on Sunday.

Sanjay Raut said some “bogus people” were trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the state, and were being backed by the BJP.