Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray is in news the day he has gone vocal against Azaan on loudspeakers. After this, a PFI member issued an open threat to him over his demand. Here arise two questions, firstly why has Raj Thackeray moved out of his hibernation, is he here to claim Bala Saheb’s legacy with his pro-Hindutva move. And secondly, should the government ban Islamist organisation PFI?
PFI member issues open threat amid Thackeray’s loudspeaker row
After Raj Thackeray’s offensive campaign demanding a ban on loudspeakers atop mosques gained hype, a member of Islamist organisation PFI identified as Abdul Mateen Sheikhani issued an open threat.
Reportedly, Sheikhani warned that nobody should touch the loudspeakers otherwise the organisation will not spare them. He claimed that some people are trying to disrupt peace, while some have problems with Azaan others have problems with Madarsaas. He added, “PFI wants peace, but don’t don’t provoke us otherwise we won’t spare.” He issued an open threat by saying, “If any mosques, madarsa or loudspeaker is touched, PFI will lead the struggle.”
However, Shekhani has been booked by the Mumbra Police for issuing open threats amid Thackeray’s loudspeaker row. FIR has been registered under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 37(3) of the Maharashtra Police Act.
But this doesn’t dissolve the threat PFI poses to the nation.
Read More: PFI is turning into another SIMI, but RSS is well prepared
PFI: Another SIMI in making
PFI issued an open threat in the loudspeaker row, it is an extremist Islamic organisation that was formed in 2006, as a successor to National Development Front. There have been witnessed an active involvement of PFI and its student front CFI in the anti-CAA protests and Hijab controversy.
It is believed that PFI is an offshoot of SIMI, the mastermind of the 2006 Mumbai and 2008 Ahmedabad blasts which has led to growing voices demanding a ban on it before it becomes SIMI 2.0.
The Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) the mastermind of the 2006 Mumbai and Ahmedabad blasts, wanted to establish Sharia and govern the country on the basis of Quran, propagate Islam and carry out “jihad” for the ‘cause of Islam’.
However, when the government banned the terror outfit after almost four decades of its existence, it broke down and birthed another terrorist organization named Indian Mujahideen. Now, it appears that other offshoots of SIMI have sprung into existence with the Popular Front of India (PFI) leading the charge.
The best time to ban PFI was eight years ago and the second-best time is now. The government without any delay should ban the organisation and stop it from spewing venom into the society.
The politics of Raj Thackeray
Raj Thackeray has woken up from his slumber once again, and this time along with his political outfit Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) demanding a ban on loudspeaker installation atop mosques. Earlier Raj Thackeray has himself warned to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers if the volumes were not turned down during Azaan.
Read More- Raj Thackeray is 10 years late to claim BalaSaheb’s legacy but glad he’s woken up
On the occasion of GudiPadwa, Thackeray said while addressing his cadre, “I am not ‘dharma-andha’. I am not against prayers. Don’t trouble others. I would say that loudspeakers must go from now. It is troublesome at 5 am. Why do you need loudspeakers? Which religion says loudspeakers need to be used? See other countries. In case, loudspeakers are used, ensure that Hanuman Chalisa is played twice the volume (of azaan) outside the mosques that use loudspeakers.”
First masjids and then Shiv Sena’s headquarters, the cadre of Raj Thackeray’s Maharastra Navnirman Sena (MNS) played Hanuman Chalisa at both the venues and this, in turn, marked Thackeray’s rise to the national forum.
With this move, Raj Thackeray is not only claiming giant Hindu leader Bala Saheb’s legacy but is also showing Shiv Sena’s patriarch Uddhav Thackeray his place.