Maharashtra Home Minister Halts Speech Midway During Azaan, Amid Loudspeaker Row | WATCH

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil halted his speech at an event in Pune's Shirur area on Monday, when Azaan – the Islamic call to prayer – was being recited nearby.

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil halted his speech at an event in Pune's Shirur area on Monday, when Azaan was being recited nearby | Screengrab of ANI video

New Delhi: Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil halted his speech at an event in Pune's Shirur area on Monday, when Azaan – the Islamic call to prayer – was being recited nearby. This came amid comments by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on removing loudspeakers from mosques and replacing them with loudspeakers playing Hanuman Chalisa.

A video of Walse Patil halting his speech when the Muslim call for prayer was being made nearby has gone viral on various social media platforms. The video was shared on Twitter by news agency ANI. 

#WATCH Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil halts his speech midway for Azaan, at an event in Shirur, earlier today pic.twitter.com/IpV35YuIAr

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2022

Some time ago, Walse Patil's colleague Ajit Pawar had done something similar while speaking in Pune.

At another event in the district, Walse Patil said that there are several real issues such as petrol hike, inflation, unemployment, and the poor economic condition of the country to talk about, but attempts are being made to create tension between communities.

According to a report by news agency PTI, Walse Patil also criticised 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 make the country's politics unstable. This can lead to the country getting weakened, 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. "Some people have decided to go to court. After court orders, we will take appropriate measures," Walse Patil said.

In response to Raj Thackeray's statement on Azaan, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said last week that Maharashtra is the land where law prevails.

"Raj Thackeray was talking about taking down the loudspeakers installed in mosques yesterday. First, see in which all BJP ruled states Azaan has been stopped, loudspeakers removed from mosques... This is Maharashtra, where law of the land is followed," ANI quoted Raut as saying on April 3, 2022.

Raj Thackeray was talking about taking down the loudspeakers installed in mosques yesterday. First, see in which all BJP ruled states Azaan has been stopped, loudspeakers removed from mosques...This is Maharashtra, where law of the land is followed: Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2022

On April 2, Thackeray, who was in Mumbai, said that he is not against prayers, but the government should take a decision on removing mosque loudspeakers. 

He warned that loudspeakers should be removed from mosques, or else loudspeakers playing Hanuman Chalisa will be put in front of them.

Thackeray also said that he was happy to see Uttar Pradesh progressing, and that he wants the same development in Maharashtra.