There is no provision for the state government to either install or remove loudspeakers, Maharashtra Homeౠ Minister Dilip Walse Patil said on Monday after an all-party meeting on the issue a🦋nd asked the Centre to formulate guidelines since the order on loudspeakers had been given by the Supreme Court.
The BJP boycotted the all-party meeting and sought to know whether the state home minister has any authority to decide on the issue if the chief minister is not present at 𝄹the meeting. The BJP has demanded that the Supreme Court's guidelines (on loudspeakers) be followed strict🔯ly.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray too didn't atten✅d the meet𓂃ing.
Walse Patil's statement comes days ahead of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's ultimatum to the state government to remove loudspeakers a🏅top mosq𓆉ues ends on May 3.
With this, the tussle between the MVA government and the MNS and BJP over the issue of loudspeakers and the recital of Hanuཧman Chalisa is likely to intensify further with senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis saying that if the government wants to use the ways of Hitler, ";we will prefer struggle over dialogue. This has become our mindset, so we have decided ꧒to boycott the meeting".
He was referring to the arrest of Independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana following protests by Shivsainiks against their call to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside CM Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai on🍌 April 23.
Talking🌳 to reporters after the all-party meeting, Walse Patil said the issue of 'azaan' was also discussed. He said if a stand is taken against one community, then the consequences of the same on other communities should also be considered.
“When a stand is taken (against) a particular community then what are its consequences on other communities, religious events (should also be considered)..because there are bhajans, kirtans, aar෴tis in villages,” he said.
Walse Pa✨til said the all-party meeting decided that the government should take all steps to maintain law and order in the ♍state and work accordingly.
The Supreme Court had given a decision on the use (regulations) of loudspeakers in 2005. Su🍰bsequently, other courts have also given rulings in this regard.
Walse Patil said the Maharashtra government between 2015 and 17 came out with some GRs (government resolutions) and circulars on the use of loudspeakers and the permission for their usage including the tim🐼ings and decibel limits. Based on it, loudspeakers are used in the st🌳ate.
“There is no provision that the governm♑ent can decide on installing or removing loudspeakers. Those who have installed loudspeakers, those who use it, will have to take care of the regulation,” he said.
“Regarding loudspeakers, there was an opinion (in the meeting) that since the directive about the loudspeake𝕴r has come f꧑rom the Supreme Court, it applies to the entire country. If the Centre takes a decision on this at a national level and is implemented then there will be uniformity on this in all states,” the home minister said.
If nece𒀰ssary, a delegation comprising leaders of all parties from the state should meet top leaders of the Centre, Walse Patil said.
Stat🍒e Tourism Minister and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray termed it a “no🅘n-political” issue which was being made “political”.
Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said the BJP's stand on the issue is very clear that the Supreme Court's guidelines on th💎e usage of mikes must be followed strictly.
Giving a stern message, Walse Patil said ൩police are expected to take action again🌠st those who violate the law.
Fadnavis also said that earlier we would stay awake the entire Navratra, plꦏay garba, play bhajans.
"Be it Ganesh Chaturthi, there would be events till midnight. The moment the Supreme Cౠourt barred the use of loudspeakers from 10 pm, we strictly followed it. We only use it on 15 days on which relaxation is allowed," he added. (With PTI inputs)
