Azaan vs Hanuman Chalisa: Hanuman Chalisa not allowed within 100 meters of a mosque, says Nashik Police

• Image Credit: Internet

• Apr 18, 2022 | Dhupali Das

The recitation of Hanuman Chalisa was also banned within a 150-meter radius of a mosque. 

Digital Desk: In a crucial move in the Azaan-vs-Hanuman Chalisa conflict, the Nashik Police have now prohibited the use of loudspeakers to play Hanuman Chalisa or bhajans 15 minutes before and after Azaan is offered. Moreover, the police have also made it illegal to use loudspeakers in religious places without permission. Reportedly, all religious institutions must now get permits to use loudspeakers by May 3. 

The recitation of Hanuman Chalisa was also banned within a 150-meter radius of a mosque. According to the Maharashtra Home Department, a detailed order imposing identical limitations across the entire state is expected to be issued within two days.

"By May 3, all religious establishments must obtain permission to use loudspeakers.  If anyone is found breaking the order after May 3, legal action would be taken," Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey warned.

Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president, asked Hindu brothers to be prepared if loudspeakers are not removed from mosques by May 3. "I appeal to all Hindu nationalists in this country to stay till May 3, and if mosques across the country do not put out loudspeakers after May 3, play Hanuman Chalisa in front of that mosque. If given the opportunity, we will play Hanuman Chalisa five times," Raj Thackeray said to journalists at the MNS city office in Pune on Sunday.

Notably, on April 2, Raj Thackeray urged Maharashtra's government to remove loudspeakers from mosques.

"It is necessary to obtain permission before performing Hanuman Chalisa or bhajans. It will not be permitted 15 minutes prior to and following the Azaan. It will also be prohibited within 100 metres of a mosque. The goal of this ordinance is to keep the peace," Pandey said.

"The Director-General of Police and the Mumbai Police Commissioner have been ordered to develop a policy on the usage of loudspeakers," Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil stated.

"Clear instructions have been given that loudspeakers are permitted within the acceptable decibel range, and if somebody exceeds that, legal action will be taken," Patil warned previously.

The Nashik City Police Commissionerate said that each mosque, temple, gurdwara, church, and other religious institution should apply to the Nashik City Police Commission to install loudspeakers/sound transmitting devices only after receiving written instructions authorisation. From May 3, 2022, this order will be in force.

Official reports stated that this order would come into effect immediately. On the other hand, temples, mosques, gurdwaras, churches, and other religious institutions will be permitted to use trumpets until May 3. All illegal loudspeakers will be confiscated after that, and legal action will be taken. Failure to obey the order will result in a minimum sentence of four months in prison, which can be increased to one year and a fine.