Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday demanded to remove loudspeakers from mosques in Maharashtra. Why are loudspeakers played in mosques with such loud noises, Thackeray said at a party rally at Shivaji Park. If this is not stopped, Hanuman Chalisa will be played in louder voice on the speaker outside the mosques.
Mr Thackeray said, “I am not against prayers, you can pray at your home, but the government should take a decision on removing mosque loudspeakers. I am warning you now, Remove loudspeakers or else put loudspeakers in front of the mosque and play Hanuman Chalisa.”
He also took a dig at Maharashtra Chief Minister and his cousin Uddhav Thackeray. Uddhav’s party Shiv Sena had parted ways with the BJP in 2019 over the chief minister’s post.
He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah were saying that Devendra Fadnavis is going to be the next Chief Minister. Uddhav Thackeray was present on the stage. But he never mentioned the seat-sharing formula. Uddhav raised it only when he realized that the BJP cannot form the government without his help (after the 2019 elections).
The MNS chief alleged that the three parties Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress in the government have ignored the mandate of the people.
Mr Thackeray demanded the government to revoke the pensions given to the MPs and MLAs. He also asked to take their farmhouse away if they have to be given houses.
“The MLA and MP pensions should be stopped. If you want to give homes, then give to the poor people who live in the slums. Why provide the MLAs houses? If you have to provide homes, then take their farmhouses away and then give them houses,” he said.
He appealed to PM Modi to raid the mosques in the Muslim areas in Mumbai and said that the people living there are “Pakistani supporters”.
“I appeal to PM Modi to raid the Madarasas at the Muslim shanties. Pakistani supporters are residing in these shanties. Mumbai Police knows what’s happening there. Our MLAs use them for vote-bank, such people don’t even have Aadhar Card, but the MLAs get them made,” he said.