Loudspeaker Row: MNS chief Raj Thackeray booked over Aurangabad speech

Mumbai: A criminal offence has been registered against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for his alleged inflammatory speech at a rally in Aurangabad on Sunday. The police have also booked the organisers of the rally in the case.

Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Rajnish Seth said on Tuesday that the Aurangabad police commissioner would take appropriate legal action against Raj Thackeray for his speech against loudspeakers atop mosques. “The Aurangabad Commissioner of Police has studied the speech (of Raj Thackeray) and is competent to take the required action and whatever legal action is required to be taken will be taken today itself.”

According to police, Raj Thackeray and others have been booked under sections 116 (abetment of offence), 117 (whoever abets the commission of an offence by the public generally or by any number or class of persons exceeding ten) and 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot—if rioting be committed—if not committed) of the Indian Penal Code and section 135 of Maharashtra Police Act.

DGP Rajneesh Seth appealed to citizens in the state to maintain peace and law and order on Tuesday. The top cop also warned that stern action would be taken against those who would try to take the law in their hands. DGP Seth informed that the leaves of police personnel had been cancelled in the wake of the ongoing situation in the state and heavy deployment of forces has been made across the state.

“Today, the home minister had a meeting to take stock of the law-and-order situation in the state. Maharashtra Police force is capable of handling any law-and-order situation and we are fully ready. Several meetings have been held at the local level with peace committees and mohalla committees, to ensure social peace and harmony. I request every citizen of the state to maintain peace and co-operate with the police,” said DGP Seth.

He added, “Preventive action has been taken in large numbers on anti-social and criminal elements. Preventive action has been taken against 15,000 persons so far. Notices under section 149 of CrPC (preventing cognizable offences) have been issued to over 13,000 persons. 87 companies of State Reserve Police Force and over 30,000 Home Guards have been deployed across the state. We will take required action on people who will try to create a law-and-order situation. Also, the leaves of police personnel have been cancelled.”

With the Aurangabad police on Tuesday registering an offence against the MNS chief over his speech against loudspeakers at mosques, some party leaders slammed the Maharashtra government and said they would hit the streets in case of further action against their party head.

Talking to reporters, MNS Thane district president Avinash Jadhav criticised Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the issue.

Jadhav claimed it was (Shiv Sena founder) Bal Thackeray who had first demanded the removal of loudspeakers from mosques, but his son (CM Uddhav Thackeray) has had Raj Thackeray booked for the same.

Further, Jadhav said, “It was expected because of the way these people (the government) were troubling us while giving us permission for the rally, they wanted to book Raj saheb. The next step could be his arrest. But our motto is purely social.”

“MNS workers will hit the streets...every Hindu will also do the same and show the government its place,” Jadhav added.

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said the party was always aware that Raj Thackeray would be booked since the conditions laid down for the rally were stringent.

“The government will see the struggle of our party workers on roads. We don’t fear cases. The action is to scare us. We will not be cowed down...protests will take place,” Deshpande said.