Nashik Police Bars Hanuman Chalisa Before, After Azaan Within 100 Metres of Mosques

New Delhi: Amid the row over Azaan in Maharashtra, Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey has barred the playing of Hanuman Chalisa or Bhajan will not be allowed 15 minutes before and after the Azaan within 100 metres of mosques.

Pandey also warned of strict actions against those found violating the order after the deadline and directed all religious places to seek permission for using loudspeakers by May 3.

"Permission has to be taken for playing Hanuman Chalisa or Bhajan. It will not be allowed within 15 minutes before and after the Azaan. It will not be allowed within 100 metres of the mosques. The aim of this order is to maintain law and order," he was quoted as saying by the media on Monday.

The order was issued after repeated warnings from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray to remove loudspeakers from mosques across the state.

On Sunday, Thackeray asked the Hindus to "wait till May 3" and play Hanuman Chalisa thereafter in front of the mosques that "don't take down the loudspeakers".

"If the use of loudspeakers continues then they (Muslims) will also have to listen to our prayers on loudspeakers", he had said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra home minister Dilip Walse Patil has said that the guidelines on the use of loudspeakers in public places will be issued in the next 1-2 days.

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