Loudspeaker Row: Sena-BJP Squabble Intensifies, Maha Home Minister Demands Common Rule From Centre

“We request the Centre to come up with a law that will be applicable across the country. It will ensure that situations like these do not arise anywhere in the country,” Walse-Patil said. 

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New Delhi: The loudspeaker row in Maharashtra seems to be deepening the rift between the allies turned rivals Shiv Sena and BJP. On Monday, Shiv Sena called an all-party meeting to discuss the issue which was missed by BJP. Post the meeting, Shiv Sena held a press conference and demanded that the centre must come up with a common rule for everyone regarding the use of loudspeakers.

However, the squabble between both parties continued as BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis held a separate press conference after missing the all-party meet. 

The first Press conference was held by Maharashtra’s home minister Dilip Walse-Patil and Aditya Thackeray where Walse-Patil not only justified the arrest of independent legislators Navneet and Ravi Rana but also said that there cannot be different rules for different communities. 

“We request the Centre to come up with a law that will be applicable across the country. It will ensure that situations like these do not arise anywhere in the country,” Walse-Patil said. 

He further added that “There’s a row over azaan. If we decide on a Muslim prayer call, then what impact will it have on other religious functions? We have the Ganpati festival, Navratri; there’s also ‘aarti’ and ‘bhajan’ in rural areas. Can’t take separate decisions for each function. Rules can’t be made separately for different religions. The decision on loudspeakers is by the apex court and it is applicable to the whole country. So, the Centre should decide and form laws applicable for all states."

Wales-Patil also attacked the BJP by saying that it did not attend the all-party meeting called by him. “Some political parties have set a deadline for loudspeakers. I had called a meeting for it. But BJP didn’t come. The Maharashtra government has decided to do everything to maintain law and order. Loudspeakers are used as per the state norms and rules of the Supreme Court. The state government can’t and won’t decide on the removal of loudspeakers,” he said. 

He also said that the state government has no jurisdiction to decide on installing or removing loudspeakers as it is maintained according to a SC order. “The Supreme Court gave guidelines on the issue in 2005 and later between 2015 and 2017, the Maharashtra government came out with circulars regarding the same. And it is based on these circulars that the loudspeakers have been operating in the state," he said.

"There is no provision that the government cannot decide on installing or removing loudspeakers. Those who have installed loudspeakers, those who use it, will have to take care of the regulation," he added.

Aditya Thackeray, who participated in the press conference said, “It was also decided at the meeting that a delegation from the state will meet the central government and hold discussions on the issue of the use of loudspeakers.”

Meanwhile, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, who held a different press conference attacked Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and said, “We received an invitation from Maharashtra home minister for an all-party meeting on Monday, but we didn’t go in view of what has happened in last few days. If someone has taken the role of Hitler, we felt it’s better to fight instead of communicating."

He further added that everything is happening at the behest of CM Thackeray and what is the use of the meeting if he himself is not present there. “Whatever is happening in Mumbai is happening at the behest of the CM. In such a situation, if the CM himself is not present in today’s meeting, then what is the use of it?" Fadnavis said.

Meanwhile, NCP leader Sharad Pawar who is a part of Maharashtra’s coalition government also attacked BJP by saying that they are becoming anxious after losing power. 

Speaking to the reporters, Pawar said, “Of late, some people are getting anxious and I do not blame them, because before the (2019) state election claims were made of coming again to power, and it did not materialise, that's why there is this anxiousness.”

Pawar also said that there is always a threat of the imposition of the President’s rule but it has no outcome. 

“The threat of the imposition of President's rule is always made, but it has no outcome. If a mid-term poll situation arises, then the recent Kolhapur byelection result has shown what kind of result would be there, and I think no one will go to that extent (of imposition of President's rule),” Pawar said.