‘Don’t want social tension during Eid’: Raj Thackeray cancels ‘Maha Aarti’ scheduled for May 3

This was in departure from Thackeray’s statement at a rally in Aurangabad on Sunday in which he had said that he was firm on his May 3 “deadline” for removal of loudspeakers from mosques. He said all Hindus should play Hanuman Chalisa outside these religious places from May 4 if loudspeakers were not removed.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said Thackeray’s rally was aimed at creating a divide in the society and indicated legal action against him.

Walse Patil said, “Apart from creating divide in the society, the speech was centered around NCP chief Sharad Pawar as Thackeray had no other issues to speak on. He should have spoken on unemployment, inflation and other issues but the speech was provocative.”

He further said, “The speech was an attempt to create tension in the society and spread hatred. The Aurangabad Police will listen to his speech and decide what is objectionable following which a decision will be taken.” He said Aurangabad police commissioner was looking into “provocative and objectionable content of the speech”.

Walse Patil said a meeting will be held on Tuesday with top officials where a report will be presented on the issue and a call taken accordingly.

Following the rally held at Marathwada Samajik Mandal ground in Aurangabad, the police there have started checking CCTV footage and videos of Thackeray’s speech to check if any of the 16 conditions put before him in lieu of a nod to the rally has been violated.

“A report on the same will be sent to senior officials for further action,” said a police officer.