News Analysis India

Tag: MNS

  • Loudspeaker row: Mumbai police issue notices to 100 people, including MNS leaders

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Mumbai police have issued notices to at least 100 people, including MNS leaders Nitin Sardesai and Bala Nandgaonkar, under section 149 of the CrPC for preventing cognisable offences, an official said on Tuesday.

    The move comes after MNS chief Raj Thackeray at a rally in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad city on May 1 asked people to play Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques from May 4 if loudspeakers there were not removed.

    According to the office of the Maharashtra director general of police (DGP), preventive action has so far been taken against more than 15,000 people in the state under various sections of the CrPC and the Maharashtra Police Act.

    The DGP’s office also said that notices under CrPC section 149 were issued against 13,054 people across the state, including MNS workers.

    Considering the law and order situation in the state capital Mumbai, the city police have issued notices under the CrPC section 149 to at least 100 people under zone 5, which includes Dadar, Matunga, Shivaji Park and Dharavi areas.

    The Shivaji Park police issued notices to 12 people, including MNS functionaries Nitin Sardesai, Bala Nandgaokar, Sandeep Deshpande, Sukumar Killedar and others.

    Besides, 15 people were issued notices in Dadar area, the official said.

    The central Mumbai is considered a stronghold of the MNS, and police are taking all precautions to avoid any untoward situation in the area, he said.

  • Aurangabad police chief will act against Raj Thackeray over speech: Maharashtra DGP

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra police chief Rajnish Seth on Tuesday said Aurangabad police commissioner will take appropriate legal action against MNS leader Raj Thackeray over his speech against loudspeakers atop mosques.

    “Aurangabad CP is looking into the speech. He will take whatever legal action that is needed,” Seth told reporters, two days after Thackeray, at a rally in Aurangabad, called for “silencing” loudspeakers from the mosques from May 4.

    Seth met state Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil earlier on Tuesday and the two, along with senior police officials, reviewed the law-and-order situation ahead of the MNS chief’s deadline.

    “Maharashtra police are capable of handling any kind of law-and-order situation. SRPF and Home Guards have been deployed in the state,” Seth said.

    “I appeal everyone to maintain peace,” he added.

  • MNS chief Raj Thackeray reiterates May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers atop mosques

    By PTI

    AURANGABAD: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Sunday said he was firm on the May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers, which he termed as a nuisance, atop mosques.

    Addressing a public rally here late in the evening, Thackeray said, “I won’t be responsible for what all happens after the May 3 deadline to remove the loudspeakers from the mosques.”

    The MNS chief said that from May 4, all Hindus should play Hanuman Chalisa at double the volume of loudspeakers atop the mosques.

    “If they (Muslims) don’t understand nicely, we will show them the power of Maharashtra,” he said.

    Loudspeaker noise is not a religious issue but a social one, he said.

    “All loudspeakers (atop mosques) are illegal. Is it a concert that so many loudspeakers are being used?” he said.

    Thackeray said if Uttar Pradesh government could remove the loudspeakers, what was stopping Maharashtra government, led by his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray, from doing so.

  • RPI-A, BJP do not support MNS’ demand for removal of loudspeakers from mosques: Ramdas Athawale

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said the RPI-A headed by him doesn’t support MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s demand for the removal of loudspeakers from mosques.

    Speaking to media persons, Athawale, whose party is a constituent of the NDA, also claimed that even the BJP does not support Raj Thackeray’s stand on the issue.

    “If they (MNS) want to use loudspeakers they can do so but we oppose the demand to remove loudspeakers from mosques. Even, Balasaheb Thackeray (Shiv Sena founder) was opposed to such demand. I feel a rift should not be created between religions,” he said.

    The MNS chief had earlier spoken against mosques using loudspeakers to relay prayers and had asked the state government to get them removed by May 3, failing which his party would play Hanuman Chalisa at a higher volume outside mosques.

    Athawale said BJP is not supporting such a call to ban loudspeakers atop mosques.

    “The BJP has never taken such a stand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ and there is no possibility of the BJP taking such a position. This is Raj Thackeray’s agenda,” he said.

  • Will give tit for tat if loudspeakers on mosques not removed by May 3: MNS chief Raj Thackeray

    By PTI

    PUNE: Raising the pitch for Hindutva, MNS president Raj Thackeray on Sunday said he will visit Ayodhya on June 5 to take darshan of Lord Ram and appealed to “Hindu brothers” to “be prepared” if loudspeakers are not removed from mosques by May 3.

    Stating that loudspeakers relaying the ‘azaan’ call is more of a social issue than a religious one, Thackeray said that they don’t want peace in the society disturbed, “but if the use of loudspeakers continues then they (Muslims) will also have to listen to our prayers on loudspeakers”.

    “On May 1, I will address a public gathering at Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). On June 5, I will visit Ayodhya for darshan along with MNS volunteers. I also appeal to others to come to Ayodhya,” the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president told a press conference in Pune.

    When asked about the purpose of his visit to Ayodhya, Raj Thackeray parried the question, saying he has not travelled out for a long time. However, speaking about the Ayodhya visit after the press conference, he said, “So many ‘kar sevaks’ lost their lives for it (Ram temple). And due to the Supreme Court and central government, the Ram temple is being established there. So I want to go there at its initial stage (of construction). Later, once the temple gets ready, everybody will visit it again.”

    Interestingly, amid a war of words between the ruling Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray, Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that state minister Aaditya Thackeray will visit Ayodhya next month. Raj Thackeray reiterated his demand that loudspeakers on mosques be removed by May 3 or else MNS will play ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ eulogising Lord Hanuman on loudspeakers outside mosques.

    “People think that loudspeakers atop mosques is a religious issue, but it is a social issue. If you want to play loudspeakers five times a day then we will play ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ five times in front of mosques. I appeal to all Hindu brothers to be prepared. We will wait till May 3 when Ramzan ends. But if they don’t stop, and if they think that their religion is bigger than the judiciary, then we will give tit for tat. The MNS is preparing for it,” he said.

    Stating that the MNS never wanted communal riots to take place in the country or to disturb the peace, Raj Thackeray said the Muslim community should look at the demand for the removal of loudspeakers from mosques from a humanitarian angle. “We are not opposing their prayers. But if they insist on using loudspeakers then they will have to listen to our prayers on loudspeakers,” the MNS chief said.

    He narrated an incident involving a Muslim reporter who had told MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar, how he had to visit the mosque near his house and ask the management to shut down speakers as his newborn child is disturbed by the loud noise of prayers.

    When asked about the police action against MNS volunteers for playing Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers, Raj Thackeray asked why separate legal parameters are applied for mosques and MNS workers.

    Replying to the purported statement of a Popular Front of India leader that nobody will be allowed to touch loudspeakers atop mosques, Raj Thackeray said, “Our hands are not tied.” When asked about Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut calling him a “new Hindu Owaisi”, the MNS chief said that he doesn’t respond to “lavande” (spineless people).

    “If our processions are attacked then we won’t stay calm. Our hands are not tied. Don’t force us to pick up weapons,” he said when asked about the attack on a Hanuman Jayanti procession on Saturday.

    Speaking to reporters later, Thackeray said the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community offers prayers without playing the ‘azaan’ on loudspeakers. “Doesn’t the prayer of people from the Bohra community reach Allah? They pray without loudspeakers, but others (Muslims) use loudspeakers daily, whereas we are required to get permission to use loudspeakers to celebrate Ganesh festival or Navratri,” he added.

  • BJP, MNS oppose Shiv Sena’s protest march against fuel price hike in Aurangabad

    By PTI

    AURANGABAD: The Aurangabad unit of the BJP and MNS criticised the Shiv Sena for organising a protest march on Saturday in the city against the Centre over the rise in fuel prices as well as inflation.

    The protest march of the Sena, which is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in the state, will be between Kranti Chowk and Gulmandi, with the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut scheduled to participate.

    While MNS district chief Suhas Dashrathe said that the Sena, despite being in power, had done nothing to mitigate Aurangabad’s water woes, his BJP counterpart Sanjay Kenekar said the MVA government under Uddhav Thackeray must cut state taxes on petrol and diesel and give relief to people.

    The BJP gave a memorandum over this demand to the CM through the district collector.

  • ‘Will take on illegal hawkers’: MNS chief Raj Thackeray meets injured Thane civic body official

    By PTI

    THANE: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Wednesday said the growing “courage” of illegal hawkers need to be crushed after he met senior Thane civic official Kalpita Pimple, who was injured in the attack by a street vendor during an anti-encroachment drive, at a hospital here.

    Pimple, the assistant municipal commissioner (AMC) of the Majiwada-Manpada area in Thane, lost three of her fingers and received head injuries when a hawker stabbed her with a knife at the Kasarvadavali junction on Monday.

    Her security guard also sustained injuries. Thackeray visited the hospital and enquired about the health of Pimple. He appreciated the courage shown by her and wished her a speedy recovery.

    Later talking to media persons at the hospital, Thackeray, whose party MNS is known for pursuing the sons-of-the-soil agenda, said in Marathi that he felt sad over the incident. “But at the same time, such tendencies are getting strengthened. MNS’ fight against illegal hawkers will continue…such ‘himmat’ of these forces should be crushed,” he added.

    Thackeray said he discussed the issue with senior police officers. “Police are doing their job. We hope a strict punishment will be given to the accused. The court is also doing its work,” he added. The accused hawker, identified as Amar Yadav, who had attacked Pimple and later threatened to commit suicide, was arrested.

    A video of the accused shouting and wielding the knife went viral on social media. The Kasarwadavali police had booked him under various Indian Penal Code Sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty).

    The incident caused outrage and invited condemnation from political parties and various sections. Maharashtra BJP vice president Chitra Wagh also visited the hospital and enquired about the health of Pimple and the security guard.

    “The law and order situation in Maharashtra is fast deteriorating. Women in the state are not safe anymore,” she said while launching a scathing attack on the Shiv Sena-led MVA government.

    Thane Mayor Naresh Mhaske had said the civic body will bear the cost of treatment of the injured official and her security guard. Thane Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde visited the hospital around Monday midnight to enquire about Pimple’s health.

    On Wednesday, the general body meeting of the Thane Municipal Corporation was adjourned without transacting any business to condemn the attack on Pimple. The general body is likely to discuss the entire issue in the next meeting, a corporator said.

    As a mark of protest, staff and officials of the Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) protested the incident and wore black ribbons. They handed over a memorandum to the BNMC commissioner.

    Condemning the incident, staff and officials of the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) struck work and submitted a memorandum to municipal commissioner Vijay Suryavanshi on Wednesday demanding that officials doing public duty be provided with the armed police protection to ensure their safety.

    The Congress party took out a silent morcha in Thane but was stopped midway to the office of the district collector by the police. Local Congress leaders demanded the TMC chief take action against unauthorised constructions and hawkers in the city.

    They also demanded that a hawkers policy be finalised.

  • MNS activists held over ‘Dahi Handi’ protest in Maharashtra’s Thane

    By PTI

    THANE: Some 20 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists were arrested on Monday in Thane for sitting on a ‘dharna’ demanding permission from authorities for traditional ‘Dahi Handi’ celebrations which have been banned in view of the coronavirus pandemic, police said. They were released later.

    The activists, led by the party’s Thane-Palghar unit chief Avinash Jadhav, said they would, irrespective of the police ban, celebrate the festival, which involves formation of human pyramids by youngsters to break curd-filled pots kept at a height.

    The popular festival organized during Gokulashtami, which attracts a lot of crowds, is to be celebrated on Tuesday. The protest was held on a makeshift stage on the Bhagwati School grounds near the Nagpada police station.

    The group was taken to the Nagpada police station and released later, after all of them were issued notices warning them of prohibitory orders in place and the punishment they could face if these were violated, officials said.

    MNS leader Amey Khopkar tweeted, “Hindu festivals will be celebrated with tradition and culture in Thane.”

  • BJP will have only one engine ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls: Fadnavis on pre-poll alliance with MNS

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Suspense over any possibility of an alliance between the BJP and Raj Thackeray-led MNS deepened on Saturday with senior leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra unit president Chandrakant Patil evading a direct reply.

    While Patil is in New Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior leaders, Leader of Opposition Fadnavis cryptically said the saffron party will have only one engine to contest the 2024 general elections.

    The railway engine is the poll symbol of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

    Speaking to reporters in Pune, Fadnavis said, “Patil has already clarified his position and the party’s stand regarding a possible pre-poll alliance with the MNS. However, the BJP is going to have only one engine ahead of the 2024 (general) polls.”

    Fadnavis, a former chief minister, did not elaborate whether he meant joining hands with the MNS or going solo in the general polls.

    Responding to a query on speculations that Patil might be replaced as state BJP chief, Fadnavis said, “The party is doing fine under the leadership of Patil in the state and all leaders are with him. There are no talks of changing leadership in the state at the moment”.

    After meeting the MNS chief at the latter’s residence in Mumbai on Friday, Patil said the alliance was not on the cards at the moment.

    The meeting, however, triggered speculation about a possible tie-up as elections to the Mumbai civic body are due next year.

    “Raj told me that he does not hold any grudge against the non-Marathi people living in Mumbai.

    We still have some political differences and there is no proposal to join hands ahead of the polls at this moment,” Patil had said.

    On Saturday, Patil told reporters in Delhi, “I am here to apprise senior party leaders about the meeting with Raj Thackeray. Any decision will be taken by these leaders. Senior leaders will have to consider the national interest as well”.

    Before Patil, Fadnavis and former Mumbai unit BJP president Ashish Shelar had separately held meetings with senior BJP leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    When asked about these meetings, Patil said, “It is common in the party that leaders pay a visit to Delhi separately. There is nothing to read too much into it.”

    Patil is accompanied by other leaders from Maharashtra including Ram Shinde, Jaykumar Rawal, Shrikant Bharatiya and Sanjay Kute.

    The BJP has maintained that it was not allergic to any party as far as forging a pre-poll alliance is concerned but with a condition that their political stands should match.

    Some leaders in the BJP are of the view that the MNS is not untouchable provided it mellows down its anti-migrant stand.

    The Shiv Sena has been in power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for over three decades.

    In the 2017 Mumbai civic polls, the BJP contested separately and won 82 of the total 227 seats.

    The MNS had won seven seats but six of its corporators later joined the Shiv Sena.

    The Sena won 97 seats and Congress 31.

    Speaking to the media in Pune recently, Raj Thackeray, who took a strident anti-North Indian line after leaving the Shiv Sena over 15 years ago, had said he was not going to change his political stand for electoral benefits.

  • Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil meets Raj Thackeray amid talks of poll tie-up

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on Friday met MNS president Raj Thackeray, giving rise to speculation about a possible tie-up as elections to the Mumbai civic body are due next year.

    Speaking to reporters after meeting Thackeray at the latter’s residence here, Patil said the alliance was not on the cards at the moment.

    “Raj told me that he does not hold any grudge against the non-Marathi people living in Mumbai. We still have some political differences and there is no proposal to join hands ahead of the polls at this moment,” the BJP leader said.

    To a question, Patil said, “I have told Raj Thackeray that the people of this state want you to be their leader, but you ought to change their perception of you. MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said he can not disclose what transpired during the meeting, but “we will be happy if the two parties joined hands.”

    The Shiv Sena, headed by Raj’s estranged cousin and Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, has been controlling the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for over three decades.

    The MNS had won seven seats in the last BMC polls but six of its corporators later joined the Shiv Sena. The Sena won 97 seats while the BJP won 82 and Congress 31.

    Speaking to the media in Pune recently, Raj Thackeray, who took a strident anti-North Indian line after leaving the Shiv Sena over 15 years ago, had said he was not going to change his political stand for electoral benefits. “We (his party and the BJP) could agree on a non-aggression pact,” he had said.

    (With agency inputs)