New Delhi: Amid the ongoing row over removing loudspeakers from mosques, Maharashtra Tourism and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray on Friday took a swipe at his uncle and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, saying that those loudspeakers should instead be used to speak about the rising inflation, petrol, diesel or CNG prices.
“It’s fine. Instead of removing loudspeakers, one should use the same to speak about rising inflation,” ANI quoted Aaditya as saying.
“One should speak about petrol, diesel, CNG and notice recent 2-3 years, not last 60 years,” he added.
Aaditya’s remarks come as the MNS chief had earlier threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the state government failed to remove loudspeakers from the mosques by May 3.
Earlier on Tuesday, the MNS supremo reiterated his threat of playing Hanuman Chalisa outside the mosques which failed to comply with his demand.
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“Hold meetings with all the Maulavis and remove loudspeakers from the mosques. After May 3, Hanuman Chalisa will be played outside any mosque that has loudspeakers,” he said at a rally in Thane.
The MNS chief had first made the demand for removing loudspeakers from mosques at a gathering at Shivaji Park on April 2 on Gudi Padwa.
His demand drew flak from various quarters with many objecting to the move.
Defending his demand, the MNS chief said: “What wrong did I say? The whole country is suffering due to these loudspeakers. How is this communalism? Why are you making us listen to your prayers?”
“This is not a communal topic but a social topic. Five times a day, azan is being played on loudspeakers… Why should we listen to it? If it’s your religion, keep it at home,” he added.