Hanuman Chalisa row was ploy to get Governor to dissolve MVA govt on law and order ground: Mumbai Police oppose Ranas' bail plea

The Hanuman Chalisa row allegedly orchestrated by Member of Parliament (MP) Navneet Rana and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Ravi Rana was a ploy to plead collapse of law and order in Maharashtra and, thereby, dissolve the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the Mumbai Police told a Sessions Court on Friday. .The Police further alleged that the issue was raked up to create an impression in the minds of general public that the State government of which Shiv Sena is a part, is hostile towards Hindus and it is difficult for Hindus to practice their religion freely. The submissions were part of an 18-page affidavit filed before the Court by the Police opposing the bail application filed by Navneet Rana and Ravi Rana.Ranas have been charged for sedition under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code after they threatened to go to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence and recite Hanuman Chalisa."The plan to read "Hanuman Chalisa" at the private residence of the Hon 'ble Chief Minister at Matoshree bunglow is 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 such an extent that the collapse of law and order can be pleaded and the recommendation can be made for dissolution of the present government by the Governor of Maharashtra," the Mumbai Police affidavit said. .At the outset the reply stated that the idea of reading a religious text like the Hanuman Chalisa at a private residence without prior permission of the owner of such person would amount to trespass.“One cannot give a threat of challenge to the government that he or she wants to act against the procedure established by law and further challenge to the government or further incitement or instigation to the persons of diversified thinking to the effect that he or she wants to do the same and let the government or such persons to whom challenge is given should dare to stop such act even when the same is under the guise or veil of a chanting of religious book,” the reply stated..The reply further emphasized that the words spoken by the accused were not within the reasonable limits of the fundamental right of freedom of expression, and hence their act came within the ambit of offence under Section 124A.“The words by the accused persons are clearly with an intention to bring hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against the government, and with an instigation to the citizens to attempt otherwise then by lawful means, to raise discontent and disaffection amongst citizens against government to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of citizens,” the reply stated..Pertinently, the affidavit alleged that the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is strongly opposed to the policies of the present government in Maharashtra and has been criticising the Shiv Sena for its stand on Hindutva. Some independent political leaders are also raising such issues "The investigation has revealed that accused are such persons who are strong political opponents and have taken a very smart move to make use of the sacred 'stotra'," the affidavit stated. The idea of reciting Hanuman Chalisa at the CM's residence was with the definite knowledge that it would be opposed by the followers of Shiv Sena and any opposition to Hanuman Chalisa would in turn arouse religious feelings of Hindus, it was contended. Thus the accused wanted to incite hatred and disaffection against the government and to promote hostility among different classes of citizens, the police submitted. .The reply also pointed out that the question of taking cognizance on the basis of sanction by a Competent authority would arise only after investigation is completed and the same is placed for perusal before the authority for it to apply its mind.The reply contended that if released on bail, the accused would try and influence and tamper with witnesses considering their political standing and admitted following of few lakhs in the constituency.The prosecution reply also pointed out that there were eighteen FIRs registered against Amravati MLA in his constituency and seven FIRs registered against the independent MP..Earlier this month, the MLA had demanded from the CM, who is also chief of ruling party Shiv Sena which is heading the State's coalition government, to recite the Hanuman Chalisa at his residence on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.He also warned that if the CM does not do so, he would go to Matoshree (Uddhav Thackeray's residence) to recite it.On April 23, he said he would go to Matoshree to recite, however the couple called off their plans later.The Mumbai police, however, arrested the two in the evening amidst protests by Shiv Sena members.The couple was initially booked under Sections 153A (causing enmity between different groups), Section 34 (common intention) and later on booked under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for challenging the government machinery and making remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.The couple were also booked under provisions of the Bombay Police Act for causing law and order situation in the city.They was remanded to 14-day judicial custody on Sunday by a Special Metropolitan Magistrate for MPs and MLAs at Sewree, Mumbai.The bail application will be heard on April 30, Saturday. .The couple had also moved the Bombay High Court seeking quashing of another FIR slapped against them for assault of police officer who had allegedly come to arrest both Ranas in connection to the recitation case.A bench of Justices PB Varale and SM Modak had dismissed the petition.