Maharashtra: Nashik Restricts Loudspeaker Use At All Religious Places Amid Azaan Row

'Permission has to be taken for playing Hanuman Chalisa or Bhajan. It will not be allowed within 15 minutes before and after the Azan,' said Nashik city commissioner while implementing its order

Image used for representational use only | MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 25, 2008: Namaazis standing outside a Masjid in Kotwal in Raver (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Nashik has ordered all religious institutions to take permission for the usage of loudspeakers amid the raging debate over the issue of Azaan (Muslims' call for prayer) on loudspeakers.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and home minister Dilip Walse Patil will meet on Monday to discuss the law and order situation in the state and the issue of the use of loudspeakers in public places, according to news agency ANI.

Patil will hold a meeting with the director-general of police to instruct him to direct all police commissioners and officers on the decision added ANI.

Nashik city commissioner has already implemented the order to maintain law and order in the city.

“Permission has to be taken for playing Hanuman Chalisa or Bhajan. It will not be allowed within 15 minutes before and after the Azan. It will not be allowed within 100 metres of the mosque. The aim of this order is to maintain law & order,” said Deepak Pandey, Nashik CP.

All religious places have been directed to take permission for use of loudspeakers by May 3. After May 3, if anyone is found violating the order then legal action to be taken against the violators: Deepak Pandey, Nashik Police Commissioner

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2022

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has already given the state government an ultimatum till May 3, 2022, to take down the loudspeakers from the mosques, according to news agency PTI.  Otherwise, his party will play Hanuman Chalisa in front of the mosques, he threatened.

On Sunday, Thackeray said he will visit Ayodhya on June 5 to take the darshan of Lord Ram and appealed to “Hindu brothers” to “be prepared” if loudspeakers are not removed from mosques by May 3.