MNS Leader Plays 'Hanuman Chalisa' Amid Mosque-Loudspeaker Row in Maharashtra

This comes after MNS chief Raj Thackeray urged the Maharashtra government to remove loudspeakers from mosques.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Mahendra Bhanushali was briefly taken into custody by the Mumbai police on Sunday, 3 April, for playing the Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker without the required permission.

This comes after MNS Chief Raj Thackeray urged the Maharashtra government on Saturday, 2 April, to remove loudspeakers from mosques, adding that if it was not done, he would play the Hanuman Chalisa on speakers.

After being taken into custody, Bhanushali said, "They've taken away my amplifier. But I'd like to say, in the coming times, 'Jai Shree Ram' will be played on loudspeakers," ANI reported.

He also added that if action is taken against him, then it should also be taken wherever loudspeakers are used.

"No one takes permission, it isn't just me. So action should be taken on everyone if it's taken on me. The police did their job. Raj (Thackeray) Sahab says, never say anything to the police. Action should be taken wherever loudspeakers are used," he said.