PIL in Bombay HC seeks sedition charges against MNS chief Raj Thackeray – India Today

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay HC seeking to book Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray under offences of sedition, breaching peace and causing public nuisance by giving speeches and inciting people to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers.

The petition filed by RTI activist Hemant Patil also seeks that Thackeray should be restrained from organising tours and press conferences related to playing Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers and from removing the loudspeakers from mosques.

The plea raised various grievances against the public meetings of Thackeray where he allegedly gave defamatory speeches against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. The plea stated that due to the statements, there was a chance of protest all over Maharashtra by the NCP workers, which may lead to breach of peace in society.

“Due to the said fact by the words spoken (by Thackeray), signs or by visible representation or otherwise brings, attempts to bring in hatred between Hindu and Muslim community at the instance of Thackeray,” the petition added.

The plea pointed out that since May 4, Raj Thackeray’s party workers have started implementing what he had said which is creating law and order problems and, despite all this, no offence of sedition under Section 124A of the IPC had been registered against Thackeray.

The plea filed through Advocate RN Kachave, stated that Patil had addressed a representation to the Commissioner and Senior Inspector of Azad Maidan Police Station seeking initiation of action. The plea stated that since there was no response, he had filed the PIL in the high court.

LOUDSPEAKER ROW

The MNS chief had recently issued a statement asking supporters to play Hanuman Chalisa where the loudspeakers play Azaan on May 4.

A case has already been registered against Thackeray by the Aurangabad police under Section 153 (causing provocation with an intent to cause riot), Section 116 (abetment of offence) and 117 (abetment of offence committed by more than 10 people) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Meanwhile, multiple FIRs have also been registered against the MNS workers and local office-bearers of the party in the state for playing the Hanuman Chalisa during morning prayers at mosques being offered through loudspeakers.