Maharashtra MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana have said that they would recite the Hanuman Chalisa in front of Matoshree, the residence of CM Udhav Thackeray.
Mumbai Police on Friday, April 22, served a notice to MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana after the couple said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Matoshree, the residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray in Mumbai.
The couple was sent the notice under Section 149 of the Code of Criminal Procedure that allows the police to take steps to prevent cognisable offences.
The Ranas arrived in Mumbai on Friday morning. Since then, Shiv Sena workers have gathered at various locations in Mumbai, including Matoshree, daring the Rana couple to venture near Matoshree.
According to the police, the couple was staying at their Khar residence. DCP of Zone 9 Manjunath Shenge served the notice to the couple to prevent a law-and-order issue. Police said that the couple will be held responsible if the law-and-order situation is disturbed.
Initially, expecting the Ranas to travel by train on Friday, Sena workers stationed themselves outside the CST station in Mumbai. Looking at the Opposition of the Shiv Sena, the Ranas travelled by plane.
Shiv Sainiks gathered outside Matoshree as well to prevent the couple from going there. Soon, they reached the Nandgiri guesthouse, where Navneet and Ravi Rana were putting up. Shiv Sainiks had gathered outside the guesthouse, chanting Hanuman Chalisa.
There is no news yet of the Ranas backing out. They are likely to be accompanied by more than 500 activists, planning to chant Hanuman Chalisa. Ravi Rana had challenged Uddhav Thackeray to recite Hanuman Chalisa, failing which he would come and recite it in front of Matoshree.
We will go to Matoshree: Ranas
In spite of the Section 149 CrPC notice, MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana said they will go to Matoshree at 9 am on Saturday. Navneet Rana said CM Uddhav Thackeray is at his post because of Hindutva but he has left his ideology now.
Ravi Rana said, “I requested Uddhav Thackeray to recite Hanuman Chalisa on Hanuman Jayanti. CM doesn’t come to the Vidharbha region. He hasn’t come to Mantralaya for two years. With all these problems in Maharashtra, I asked him to recite Hanuman Chalisa. Uddhav Thackeray has forgotten Hindutva.”
“We will go to Matoshree at 9 am on Saturday. We are ready to face opposition,” he added.
Ravi Rana further said, “We don’t want any law and order issue. I am asking people not to join me.”
Navneet Rana said CM Uddhav Thackeray is a “binkaam pagari mukhyamantri” (CM getting paid without working), claiming that he didn’t work for the last two-and-a-half-years.
“If there is any law and order issue in Mumbai, Shiv Sena and the CM are responsible,” Navneet Rana said.