Hanuman Chalisa not allowed to be played on loudspeakers 15 minutes before and after Azaan
In the Azaan-vs-Hanuman Chalisa controversy, the Nashik Police has now banned the use of loudspeakers to play Hanuman Chalisa or bhajans 15 minutes before and after Azaan is offered in the Mosque.
The police have also banned the use of loudspeakers without permission at religious places. Now, all religious places must obtain permits by May 3 to use loudspeakers.
The police also prohibited recitation of Hanuman Chalisa within a 150-metre radius of a mosque.
“All religious places have been directed to take permission for the use of loudspeakers by May 3. After May 3, if anyone is found violating the order, legal action will be taken against them,” said Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey.
Incidentally, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray asked "Hindu brothers to be prepared” if loudspeakers are not removed from mosques by May 3.
“I wish all the Hindu patriots of this country to stay till May 3 and after May 3, whatever mosques across the country will not take out loudspeakers, play Hanuman Chalisa in front of that mosque now. If given, we will play Hanuman Chalisa 5 times,” Raj Thackeray had said while addressing the journalists at the MNS city office, Pune.
On April 2, Raj Thackeray urged the Maharashtra government to remove loudspeakers from mosques.
“Permission has to be taken for playing Hanuman Chalisa or bhajans. It will not be allowed 15 minutes before and after the Azaan. Also, it will not be allowed within 100 metres of a mosque. The aim of this order is to maintain law and order in the nation,” Pandey said.
Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said: "The Director-General of Police and Mumbai Police Commissioner have been directed to formulate a policy on the use of loudspeakers."
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