MNS state secretary Irfan Sheikh left the party upset by Raj Thackeray’s call to shut down the loudspeaker of the mosque
Highlight
- MNS state secretary Irfan Sheikh quit the party on Thursday.
- He resigned on MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s call to stop loudspeakers in mosques by May 3.
- Sheikh said he was resigning with a heavy heart.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) state secretary Irfan Shaikh on Thursday quit the party citing disappointment over MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s call to stop loudspeakers in mosques by May 3.
In a letter to Thackeray, which he shared on Facebook, Sheikh said he was resigning with a “heavy heart”. Shaikh said in the post, “Time has come to say ‘Jai Maharashtra’ (goodbye) if the party for which it is worked and is believed to be everything, takes a hateful stand against the community where From where he comes.” He said that when it was formed, the idea of MNS was to engage in casteless politics.
“Rajsaheb Thackeray was a ray of hope. But during the Gudi Padwa rally, we got to see and hear something different,” Sheikh said.
Earlier today, Raj Thackeray had advocated the removal of loud speakers from mosques. “Loudspeakers in mosques should be switched off till May 3, otherwise we will play Hanuman Chalisa in speakers. This is a social issue, not a religious one. I want to tell the state government, we will not back down on this subject, whatever you do want.” Thackeray said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil took a dig at Thackeray’s remarks, saying no one should try to create division in India on the basis of religion. Patil said, “India is a country of all religions. No one should try to divide. India is united, will remain united. No one should try to break it.”
“The government is gearing up for the upcoming festive season. Police is keeping a watch on all areas to ensure that communal tension does not spread anywhere,” he said.
(agency input)
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