Loudspeaker row: MNS chief Raj Thackeray booked for Aurangabad speech

A case has been registered against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and organisers of a public rally in Aurangabad over the former's speech during which he had reportedly asked his supporters to "silence the loudspeakers atop mosques", sources said on Tuesday.

The Aurangabad Police registered the case against the MNS chief after watching the viral videos of his speech.

Sharing more information, Maharashtra police chief Rajnish Seth said that the Aurangabad police commissioner will take appropriate legal action against Raj Thackeray over his speech against loudspeakers atop mosques.

Notices under section 149 of CrPC (preventing cognizable offences) have been issued to over 13,000 persons, he said.

During his public rally in Aurangabad, Thackeray had asked people to play ''Hanuman Chalisa'' outside mosques from May 4 if loudspeakers there were not removed. Earlier on Tuesday, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Seth and senior police officials reviewed the law-and-order situation in the backdrop of the MNS chief's deadline.

Seth said police are prepared to maintain law and order in the state and stern action will be taken against anyone seeking to disturb communal harmony. 

Leave of all police personnel has been cancelled, he said.

Police are fully prepared to tackle the situation in the state and have been given clear instructions to take stern action against those creating trouble, he said. 

Police have taken pre-emptive action against anti-social elements to avoid any untoward incident, he said.