Tracking the controversy

March 29: A delegation of BJP leaders, led by Mumbai unit chief Mangal Prabhat Lodha, meets Mumbai Police commissioner Sanjay Pandey to demand removal of loudspeakers from mosques

April 2: In Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park, MNS chief Raj Thackeray says his party workers will play the Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques to protest against loudspeakers

April 22: Amravati MP (Independent) Navneet Rana and husband, MLA (Independent) Ravi Rana, announce they will chant the Hanuman Chalisa outside CM’S residence, Matoshree

April 23: Hundreds of Sena workers gather outside the CM’S house, others stage protests outside Ranas’ home in Khar; BJP leader Kirit Somaiya goes to Khar police station to meet the couple, confrontation with Sena workers afterwards leads to one worker filing an FIR against Somaiya’s driver for ‘rash and negligent’ driving that led to injuries

April 15: NCP chief Sharad Pawar says he is concerned about ‘social harmony’ in the state; BJP leader Mohit

Kamboj promises to distribute 10,000 loudspeakers to amplify Hindu prayers; Mumbai Police beef up security in sensitive areas

April 18: Walse-patil says detailed guidelines on use of loudspeakers at religious sites will be issued soon, holds meeting with DGP Rajneesh Seth and commissioner Pandey; meets CM Uddhav Thackeray after incidents of communal tension were reported in Mumbai on April 10

April 16:

State home minister Dilip Walse-patil clarifies legal position on loudspeakers saying ‘court orders don’t restrict use of speakers’, reiterates guidelines on permissions, decibel levels and timings

April 24: Metropolitan magistrate court remands Ranas, now charged with sedition, in judicial custody for 14 days April 25: Government convenes all-party meeting on guidelines for use of loudspeakers at religious places. Walse-patil says matter to be taken up at cabinet meeting on April 27. Ranas move Bombay HC to quash second FIR against them on use of force against public servants; HC dismisses petition