Maharashtra loudspeaker controversy | Police fully prepared to thwart any untoward situation, says State Home Minister

His comments come in backdrop of MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s aggressive stance over prohibiting playing of ‘azaan’ over loudspeakers

There was an attempt by some sections to disturb the peace in the country as well as in Maharashtra and the law and order machinery was fully prepared and in readiness to thwart any untoward situation, State Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said on Tuesday.

His comments come in the backdrop of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s aggressive stance over prohibiting the playing of “azaan” over loudspeakers and his May 3 ‘ultimatum’ to the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi government of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress to remove loudspeakers before mosques.  

“We are taking measures to ensure that there will not be any deterioration in law and order situation. While I do not think the situation will get out of hand, we are nonetheless fully prepared,” the Minister said in Nagpur.

Mr. Thackeray has exhorted MNS activists to play Hanuman Chalisa if the government or the minority community did not remove loudspeakers by conforming to his deadline.

Without naming the MNS or the BJP, Mr. Walse-Patil said, “Any act or statement which heightens tensions between communities is liable for stern prosecution, be that done by a person or outfit.. The police are fully prepared and was taking care to ensure that such an atmosphere [of heightening communal tensions] will not be created in Maharashtra.”

The Minister stated that he would speak with the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing officials as well. A decision would soon be taken on the necessary precautions to be in place to preclude any untoward incidents, he remarked.

When asked when the State government would issue general guidelines on the loudspeaker issue, he observed that a notification would be forthcoming once a meeting between the Director General of Police and the Mumbai Commissioner of Police was over.