Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques; security tightened at Raj Thackeray’s house

The night after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray was served notice by the Mumbai Police as a precautionary measure following Thackeray’s open call to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers today, the security outside Thackeray’s residence was heightened.

Aurangabad Police on Tuesday filed a case against Thackeray after his Sunday speech on loudspeakers. Thane Police issued notices to 1,400 persons who are “likely to disturb the peace of city”. Meanwhile, videos surfaced on social media claiming that according to Raj Thackeray’s call, Hanuman Chalisa was played on Wednesday morning outside mosques during the 5am azaan.

Hamuna Chalisa and the chanting of it has led to controversies in Maharashtra one after another though the beginning was with Raj Thackeray’s Gudi Padwa speech where he gave a clarion call against loudspeakers at mosques and said if these loudspeakers are not removed, his party workers would play Hanuman Chalisa.

While he gave an ultimatum of May 3, he urged his workers to stay away from performing Maha aarti on Tuesday as the ‘Muslim community should also celebrate their festivities without any hindrance’. Eid was celebrated on May 3, which was also the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.