Mumbai police on Sunday arrested four Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for playing ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ on a loudspeaker in front of the Shiv Sena headquarters in Dada area, an official said. Police also seized loudspeakers, a cab in which it was parked and other items, he said.
On April 2, MNS chief Raj Thackeray demanded that the loudspeakers at the mosque be turned off, saying that if it was not turned off, “Hanuman Chalisa” would be played in large numbers outside the mosque.
He also criticized NCP chief Sharad Pawar, whose party has shared power with Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra, accusing him of “playing the caste card from time to time and dividing society”.
He also shot dead Maharashtra Chief Minister and his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday morning, after warning MNS members to play religious hymns on loudspeakers outside the army building, police arrived at the scene and arrested MNS leader Yashwant Kiledar and three others. Other activists of the organization, Shivaji Park police official said.
After their arrest, several MNS workers gathered at a small temple near the police station premises and started chanting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and other religious songs. “We have arrested four MNS workers for playing loudspeakers in front of the army building. We are investigating further, “said a police official.
Last Sunday, some MNS workers played ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ in front of the party office in Kalyan town of the adjoining Thane district.
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