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Maharashtra

Now or never – yank off mosques’ loudspeakers by Wednesday: Raj Thackeray

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Terming loudspeakers on mosques as “a social and not a religious issue”, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray demanded that the Maha Vikas Aghadi must bring down all loudspeakers by his stipulated deadline of May 3.

“It’s now or never…. All loudspeakers must be removed after May 3. After (Ramzan) Eid…. From May 4, I will not listen to anybody. All Hindus will blare out Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques at double volume,” Raj thundered, at a well-attended rally in the tourist centre of Aurangabad late on Sunday.

Taking the demand on a bigger scale, he urged that loudspeakers must be taken off from all religious places all over the country, even from temples, but only after they are removed from the mosques.

Raj further warned that “if the government fails to heed his ultimatum by May 3”, then he would not be responsible for the consequences, adding that he was neither interested nor keen to have disturbances in the state.

Reiterating that loudspeakers were a “social” and not a “religious” matter, he made it clear that if Muslims try to make it a ‘religious’ issue, then Hindus would also reply to it with religion.

“I request the police personnel here…. Go and start removing those loudspeakers right now…. This is not a new issue, it was always there, but I am giving the solutions…. It’s now or never,” he declared amid intermittent rounds of applause.

Claiming that all loudspeakers in the state are illegal, he asked if Uttar Pradesh could bring them down, then why not Maharashtra.

He again slammed Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar for starting casteist politics in Maharashtra which has done huge harm and has now percolated even to educational institutions where students first think of their caste before making friends.

“Pawar regularly invoked Shahu-Ambedkar-Phule, but never Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj…. After I raised the issue, he started doing it and speaks of the Maratha King…. He is an atheist as per his own daughter (Baramati MP Supriya Sule)’s statement in the parliament…. After I pointed it out, photos of the family doing prayers are now going viral,” Raj claimed.

The MNS chief said he held just two rallies in Mumbai and Thane last month and “look how they are blabbering”, and announced that in the coming days, he would hold rallies in each of the (36) districts in the state.

Maharashtra

Mumbai School Teacher Arrested Under POSCO Act For Sexually Assaulting Minor Student Multiple Times Over One Year

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Mumbai: A horrifying case has come forward from a well-known Mumbai school where a 40-year-old English teacher from a renowned Mumbai school was arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student multiple times over a year.

The attacks began after the teacher developed an attraction to the boy while organising dance groups for the school’s annual function in December 2023. Initial advances made in January 2024 were rebuffed by the student, prompting the teacher to enlist a friend to persuade him, claiming such relationships were common. Following this, the teacher picked the boy up, took him to a secluded location, and assaulted him.

According to a report by media, in the ensuing weeks, the teacher provided the student with anti-anxiety medication and arranged outings to luxury hotels, where they had several sexual encounters, often intoxicating him beforehand. The teacher’s arrest has shocked the school community.

The student’s behavioral changes raised concerns with his family, but they decided against reporting the incidents, hoping it would resolve on its own as he neared graduation. After leaving school earlier this year, the student fell into depression, and the situation escalated when the teacher attempted to contact him through the domestic staff. This prompted the family to file a complaint with the police.

Authorities have charged the teacher with penetrative sexual assault and related offenses under the POCSO Act and other relevant laws. The case underscores serious issues concerning student abuse within educational institutions. The teacher has been remanded in police custody until Wednesday, as investigations continue into this disturbing incident involving a minor.

Similar Incident

In another incident a mathematics teacher in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing 24 girl students in classes VIII to X last week. Complaints to the principal led to the teacher’s suspension and subsequent police custody. The Director of School Education initiated an inquiry due to the seriousness of the situation, tasking the Deputy Director of Elementary Education with gathering information promptly. The teacher now faces charges under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO provisions, reflecting the education department’s urgency in addressing these allegations.

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Maharashtra

High Court Issues Notice to Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Over Mosque Loudspeaker Dispute

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Mumbai: The Bombay High Court today issued a notice to Mumbai police authorities and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) regarding a petition filed by five mosques challenging what they term as arbitrary actions involving the removal of loudspeakers and the non-renewal of their licenses.

The petition raises concerns over the recent enforcement actions carried out by police officials, which the mosques allege are unauthorized and infringe upon their religious rights. The petitioners argue that the actions lack proper authority and transparency, leading to undue hardship and disruption of religious activities.

The High Court has directed the police to submit an affidavit along with relevant records concerning the actions taken against these mosques by the next hearing scheduled for July 9, 2025. The court’s directive aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the actions undertaken by law enforcement agencies.

Senior Advocate Yusuf Moochala appeared for the petitioners, effectively representing their interests. Among the legal representatives was Advocate Mubin Solkar, who was highlighted for his advocacy in the proceedings. Other junior counsel also participated in the hearing, emphasizing the case’s importance and the need for clear directives in matters involving religious practices and civil authority.

This case underscores the ongoing tension between law enforcement and religious communities regarding the use of loudspeakers and other religious paraphernalia. The court’s upcoming order will be closely watched by various stakeholders, emphasizing the delicate balance between public regulation and religious freedom.

As the legal process continues, the petitioners hope for a resolution that respects their religious rights while adhering to necessary regulations. The next hearing on July 9 will likely provide further clarity on the measures to be taken by authorities.

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Maharashtra

Navi Mumbai Shocker: Woman Abandons 15-Day-Old Baby With Commuters On CSMT–Panvel Local At Seawoods Station; Police Launch Search

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Navi Mumbai: On Monday afternoon, a woman abandoned her 15-day-old baby with a commuter in a CSMT-Panvel local train, fleeing under the pretext of being unable to get down with her luggage. The incident occurred at Seawoods railway station on the Harbour line. Vashi Railway Police have registered a case against the unidentified woman and have launched a search to trace her.

Divya Naidu (19), a Mumbai resident, boarded the local train from CSMT to Juinagar around 11 am along with her friend Bhoomika Mane. Around 12 pm, as the train passed Sanpada station, the two friends moved towards the door to get down at Juinagar. In the same compartment, there was an unknown woman aged between 30 to 35, seated with three bags and holding a baby.

The woman told Naidu and Mane that she would be getting off at Seawoods station but due to her luggage, she would not be able to get down with the baby on her own. She requested their help to accompany her till Seawoods.

Wanting to help, they both agreed and got off at Seawoods with the baby. However, to their shock, the woman did not get down and remained on the train, looking at them as it moved ahead. Hoping she would return, the two young women waited at the station for a long time, but when the woman did not come back, they took the baby to Mane’s house in Juinagar and took care of it.

Later, acting on the advice of their family members, they approached Vashi Railway Police and reported the incident.

Based on their complaint, a case has been registered under Section 93 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the unknown woman for abandoning the infant. Senior Police Inspector Kiran Undre of Vashi Railway Police Station confirmed the registration of the case and said that CCTV footage is being reviewed to identify and trace the woman.

The baby has been admitted to a hospital’s intensive care unit for observation. Inspector Undre also appealed to the public to come forward with any information about the woman who abandoned the baby. “As per the footage, the lady got down at Khandeshwar and we are investigating further,” Undre said.

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