Maharashtra HM Dilip Walse-Patil hints at stern action against Raj Thackeray over his threat of reciting Hanuman Chalisa from May 4

Walse-Patil hints at stern action against Raj Thackeray over his threat of reciting Hanuman Chalisa from May 4

Says Police are capable of maintaining law & order

Convenes meeting of DGP and senior officers on Tuesday to examine the Aurangabad police chief’s report on Raj Thackeray’s speech and later decision to be made on action against him

Claims efforts are underway to polarize the society

Appeals to the citizens to cooperate with police in maintaining law and order

Mumbai: A day after MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s threat that if the loudspeakers are not removed his party activists will start reciting Hanuman Chalisa from May 4, the Maharashtra Home Department has swung into action mode making it clear that the police are capable to maintain law and order and they will take stern action against those disrupting the law and order. Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil alleged that efforts are underway to polarize society on the communal and religious lines across the country. He urged the people of Maharashtra to maintain peace and communal and social harmony.

Walse-Patil told the Free Press Journal that he had convened a meeting with the state Director General of Police and senior officials on Tuesday and later decided on a strategy to foil attempts by MNS to create law and order issues. ‘’The Aurangabad police commissioner will watch Raj Thackeray’s recorded speech and see whether or not he has complied with conditions laid down while giving permission for his rally. The Aurangabad Police commissioner will submit report to the seniors and that will be available for discussion at Tuesday’s meeting.’’ He said after due discussion on the Aurangabad police chief’s report, the decision on action against Raj Thackeray will be taken at the senior level.

‘’Attempts are being made to deliberately polarize the country. The people of the state should keep peace. We are keeping a close watch on the situation, the people of the state should remain calm, no one should violate law and order, the police are capable of keeping it intact, we will hold a meeting with the police officers on the backdrop of Eid,’’ said the minister.

Walse-Patil said the Supreme Court has allowed use of loudspeakers from 6 am to 10 pm while it has been prohibited from 10 pm to 6 am adding that every citizen, political parties and organizations will have to abide by that. ‘’Is Raj Thackeray bigger than the Supreme Court?’’ he asked. ‘’

‘’Raj Thackeray has no right to issue any order other than the ruling of the Supreme Court,’’ he noted.

Walse-Patil claimed that as Raj Thackeray has no agenda or action plan for Maharashtra he has been criticising NCP chief Sharad Pawar. However, he opined that Raj Thackeray’s criticism will not have any impact on Pawar who during his over 50 years of political career has devoted his time for the cause of development and harmony among various castes and communities.

On the other hand, DCM Ajit Pawar lashed out at Raj Thackeray saying that dictatorship won’t work in Maharashtra and all will have to strictly follow the rule of law.

Published on: Monday, May 02, 2022, 07:39 PM IST