The Mumbai police have refused to grant bail to a member of the PDP. On Friday, the police filed an 18-page affidavit in response to their bail applications, alleging that the issue was brought up to create the impression that the state government, of which the Shiv Sena is a part, is hostile to Hindus and that it is difficult for Hindus to practise their religion freely.
Navneet Rana, a member of the legislative assembly, and Ravi Rana, a member of the legislative assembly, have claimed that the couple organised the Hanuman Chalisa row in order to use it as a ruse to justify the breakdown of law and order in Maharashtra. This, in turn, was to be used as a ploy to get the Maha Vikas Aghadi disbanded.
The Ranas were charged with sedition under section 124A of the Indian Penal Code after declaring that they would recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's home in Matoshree. "The plan to read the 'Hanuman Chalisa' at the private residence of the Chief Minister at Matoshree is a big plot to create a challenge to the law-and-order situation and to the maintenance of law and order by the Government established by the rule of law, to the extent that the collapse of law and order can be pleaded and the Governor of Maharashtra can make the recommendation for dissolution of the present government," the affidavit read.
It went on to say that reciting a religious text like the Hanuman Chalisa at a private residence without the owner's permission would be considered "trespass." It also states that one cannot threaten or challenge the government by threatening or challenging the government to act against the law's procedure; instigate and incite other people while daring the government to stop such an act, even "when the same is done under the guise or veil of chanting a religious book."
Image Courtesy: BMC Elections 2022