MNS chief Raj Thackeray tells Maharashtra govt to remove loudspeakers from mosques

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday asked the state government to remove loudspeakers from mosques.

Addressing his supporters at a rally in Mumbai's Shivaji Park, Raj Thackeray said, “Why are loudspeakers in mosques played at such high volume? If this is not stopped, there will be speakers outside mosques playing Hanuman Chalisa at higher volume.”

“I am not against prayer, or any particular religion. I do take pride in my own religion," he added.

Hitting out at his estranged brother and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray said the CM had betrayed the trust of the electorate by aligning with the very forces he opposed during the elections.

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Raj Thackeray said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had portrayed Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister all along and Uddhav never raised a word. It was only after the results to the Maharashtra Assembly election were announced that he got the idea of becoming the chief minister and aligned with opposition parties.

Raj Thackeray also attacked the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is a part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Raj Thackeray accused the NCP of spreading caste-based hatred in the state since its formation.

"Today people are fighting over caste issues in the state. When will we get out of it and become Hindus?" Raj Thackeray asked.

Raj Thackeray was also critical of the recent announcement by the state government on giving houses to MLAs in Mumbai. “Their pensions should be stopped first. Are they doing any favour to the people with their work? Take their bungalows and then give them the houses. What good is the chief minister seeing in this scheme as well. Is there something in this scheme as well that’s of interest,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)