New Delhi: Amaravati MP Navneet Rana on Saturday alleged that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ordered Shiv Sena workers to heckle her and her husband.
This allegation came as Navneet Rana and her husband, Badnera MLA Ravi Rana – both independent legislators – said they were firm on their plan to recite the Chalisa outside the Thackeray residence today.
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Police personnel were deployed outside Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s residence ‘Matoshree’ in suburban Bandra after the legislators said they plan to recite the Hanuman Chalisa there.
As Shiv Sena workers protested outside the residence of the Amravati MP, she claimed: "Maharashtra CM ordered Shiv Sena workers to heckle us. They're breaking the barricades. I'm reiterating that I'll go outside and will chant Hanuman Chalisa at 'Matroshree'. CM only knows how to throw people in jail", ANI reported.
Earlier, Ravi Rana alleged, "Police aren't allowing us to step outside our house. Shiv Sena workers trying to attack our residence...We've always considered 'Matoshree' as a temple...Uddhav Thackeray only seeking political gains."
As per news agency PTI, Shiv Sena workers on Saturday morning broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Rana couple's Khar residence.
The situation was brought under control and the police asked them not to step out of their house as the situation may escalate due to the presence of a large number of Shiv Sena workers outside their building, PTI reported an official as saying
Responses to 'Hanuman Chalisa' Row:
Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said that Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband want to "tarnish the state government's image and spoil the state's atmosphere." "What's the need to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', they can do it in their home. They're doing this at the behest of somebody," he alleged.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut remarked: "Will Shiv Sainiks sit quietly if someone from outside says that they will come and chant Hanuman Chalisa at 'Matoshree'? If you try to come to our residence, then we also have the right to answer in the same language. Don't give us threats of imposing President's Rule here."
Former Mumbai Mayor and Shiv Sena leader Kishori Pednekar who was outside 'Matoshree' said, "We are waiting, we'll keep Hanuman Chalisa in front of us. We're waiting to teach them a lesson."
Shiv Sena leader Anil Desai, who was also outside 'Matoshree', said that the couple has "challenged the law and order situation. They were prompted to do this by someone. Shiv Sena workers are here to protect 'Matoshree'. Police are taking care of the situation."
Meanwhile, the ruling party's workers protested outside the residence of Amravati MP in Mumbai.
According to news agency PTI, Ravi Rana on Friday told reporters that he had demanded that Uddhav Thackeray recite Hanuman Chalisa on Hanuman Jayanti "to rid Maharashtra of crises and attain peace for the state," but the chief Minister refused.
"We will go there (Matoshree) to read the Hanuman Chalisa at nine tomorrow. We will cooperate with police. I have asked our workers to ensure that law and order is not disturbed in Mumbai. Police and people should not be troubled," he added.
His demand comes after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's ‘ultimatum’ to the state government to remove loudspeakers from mosques by May 3.
The MNS chief had threatened to play Hanuman Chalisa outside the mosques if the demand was not met. The BJP supported Raj's demand.
The Mumbai police had served a notice under CrPC section 149 to Navneet Rana and her husband, asking them not to disturb the law and order situation. Under section 149, police can take steps to prevent a cognisable offence.