Mumbai

In a significant move, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government has made police permission compulsory for using loudspeakers at all religious places in the state, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said here on Monday.

Any unauthorized use of loudspeakers at all religious places or religious functions would invite strict punitive action against the violators, he added.

Walse-Patil said that a detailed notification on the proposal with the guidelines would be issued in the next couple of days by the home department.

The MVA decision comes amid a raging controversy over the use of loudspeakers at mosques raked up last week by the Opposition Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray and endorsed by activists of the Bhartiya Janata Party.

Among other things, Raj Thackeray had issued an 'ultimatum' of May 3 to the state government to ensure all mosques' loudspeakers are "silenced or dismantled", failing which the MNS workers would blare out Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers outside mosques in retaliation, raising apprehensions of a law-and-order situation. Under fire from various quarters, Raj Thackeray on Sunday clarified that he was not against religious activities but only opposed the use of loudspeakers which had social and health implications for all people.

Deepak Pandey, Nashik city Police chief told media persons that 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 meters of the mosque. The aim of this order is to maintain law & order, he said.

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 will be taken against the violators.