MNS, BJP leaders play politics over ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ chants

Sharad Pawar calls it an “attempt to disturb social harmony”; Security upped in Mumbai

HT Correspondents

MUMBAI: Politics over the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ chants heated up in Maharashtra on Friday, as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders promised to recite the prayer over loudspeakers outside temples across the state on Saturday to celebrate the birth of Hindu god, Hanuman, even as some made communally-coloured comments about the use of loudspeakers outside mosques to recite the Azaan, a call to prayer in the Islam faith.

While MNS chief Raj Thackeray is slated to hold a “maha arati” in Pune on Saturday, BJP leader Mohit Kamboj took to social media platform Twitter to write: “(…) Hanuman Chalisa Noise Pollution, Azaan on loudspeaker - Prayer Right!” Khamboj had earlier said that he would distribute 10,000 loudspeakers among temples to play the religious hymn of Hanuman Chalisa (chants addressed to the Hindu god Hanuman) on Saturday, and asked housing societies in Mumbai to play the prayer in lifts and on loudspeakers.

“[Mohit Kamboj] is distributing loudspeakers in his personal capacity. If someone wants to undertake a religious programme, no one should object to it,” BJP legislator Atul Bhatkhalkar said, adding that Khamboj had the support of his BJP in his actions.

Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, Suhas Warke said that loudspeakers can only be used after seeking permission, as per the rules. “We have given instructions to take preventive action required,” he said.

The Mumbai police beefed up security arrangements and deployed additional police force in communally sensitive pockets, including outside mosques around the city. The police have also been instructed to hold meetings with the Mohalla committees, peace groups, and other religious, social and cultural groups to enlist them in maintaining

wherever peace. Additional security personnel have been kept on standby and all intelligence collection units of Anti-terrorism Cell and Special Branch have been asked to monitor social media platforms for posts that may cause communal tension, and to take them down and act against those who circulate such content.

Reacting to statements by MNS and BJP leaders, Nationalist

Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar who was touring Jalgaon in north Maharashtra on Friday said that he was concerned about the social harmony in the state. “If a leader is taking an extreme stand and those who are ruling the country extend their support to him directly or indirectly then it is concerning. This creates a question over social harmony to which I am more concerned,” he said.

“No matter what, Maharashtra should stand united. Social harmony must be maintained between people from different languages and religious backgrounds. Maharashtra has a tradition of maintaining communal harmony but now I’m concerned as we are deviating from it,” he added.

To counter the MNS-BJP plans, political parties of the ruling Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi coalition government comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress, will hold their own events.

HT FILE BJP leader Mohit Kamboj

PTI MNS chief Raj Thackeray