new Delhi: Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil on Monday stopped his speech at an event in Pune’s Shirur area when the azaan – the Islamic call to prayer – was being recited nearby. This comes amid comments by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray of removing loudspeakers from mosques and replacing them with loudspeakers playing Hanuman Chalisa.
A video of Walse Patil is going viral on various social media platforms, in which Muslims nearby were called to offer Namaz. This video has been shared by news agency ANI on Twitter.
#Watch Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil interrupted his speech for azaan at an event in Shirur today. pic.twitter.com/IpV35YuIAr
— ANI (@ANI) 4 April 2022
Some time back Walse Patil’s aide Ajit Pawar did something similar while speaking in Pune.
At another event in the district, Walse Patil said that there are many real issues like petrol hike, inflation, unemployment and poor economic condition of the country, but attempts are being made to create tension among the communities.
According to a report in news agency PTI, Walse Patil also criticized Thackeray’s statement on Azaan, and said that Muslims have faith in their religion, while Hindus have faith in their religion.
“Instead of thinking about welfare, education and development, there is an attempt to create conflict between two communities and destabilize the country’s politics. This may weaken the country, after which we will not be able to live in harmony.” The report quoted Walse Patil as saying.
The Home Minister further said that the police will look into such statements. Walse Patil said, “Some people have decided to move the court. We will take appropriate steps after the court’s order.”
In response to Raj Thackeray’s statement on Azaan, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had last week said that Maharashtra is the land where law prevails.
“Raj Thackeray was talking about removing loudspeakers in mosques yesterday. First see that in all BJP ruled states, Azaan has been stopped, loudspeakers have been removed from mosques… This is Maharashtra, where the law of the land is followed. is followed,” ANI quoted Raut as saying on April 3, 2022.
Raj Thackeray was talking about removing loudspeakers in mosques yesterday. First look, in which BJP ruled states Azaan has been stopped, loudspeakers have been removed from mosques… This is Maharashtra, where the law of the country is followed: Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena
— ANI (@ANI) 3 April 2022
Thackeray, who was present in Mumbai on April 2, said that he is not against Namaz, but the government should take a decision on removing the loudspeakers of the mosque.
He warned that loudspeakers should be removed from mosques, otherwise loudspeakers playing Hanuman Chalisa would be installed in front of them.
Thackeray also said that he is happy to see Uttar Pradesh making progress and wants similar development in Maharashtra as well.