(This story originally appeared in on Apr 26, 2022)

Launching a counter-attack on BJP leaders’ demand for imposition of President’s rule in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said if imposed here, President’s rule should be foisted in Uttar Pradesh too, where 17 rapes have been reported in the last three months.

Hitting out at the BJP over the Hanuman Chalisa row, the Sena in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamna, said Hindutva is a tradition and culture, not ruckus. It added that Hanuman Chalisa should be recited at the national level outside the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Union home minister Amit Shah’s chamber in Delhi.

“A BJP delegation met officials in Delhi seven times with the same issues. Someone got a small cut on his chin. They have gone to Delhi to demand President’s rule. If you have any issues about law and order, then meet the chief minister or state home minister,” Raut said. “There have been 17 rapes in UP in the last three months, they should inform the Union home ministry about this too. If they have to impose President’s rule, then it must be imposed in UP and Maharashtra together. Impose it, don’t threaten us…this is a conspiracy to defame Maharashtra.”

Coming to the defence of Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Pandey, Raut said: “He is a competent officer; an independent and upright officer. They must not make allegations against such officers.”

The Saamna editorial on the Hanuman Chalisa row stated: “The ruckus that BJP has started in the name of Hindutva cannot be supported. Hindutva is a tradition and culture, not ruckus.”

On the arrested lawmaker couple, it added: “We will never know which party independent MLA Ravi Rana and his wife, independent MP Navneet Rana, will support or join…Surprisingly, BJP is dancing at the behest of that lady…The Centre has provided separate security cover to Navneet Rana, who entered Lok Sabha with a fake caste certificate. It seems that an offer has been made in the market saying: ‘Speak against the Thackeray government and get the security of the Centre’. This will bring down the rule of law.”

“The Ranas wanted to come to Mumbai and recite Hanuman Chalisa in front of Matoshree. In fact, if it has to be recited at the national level, they should do it at places like the residences of the PM and Lok Sabha Speaker and Union home minister’s chamber,” said the editorial. “Hindutva is strong in Maharashtra because Uddhav Thackeray is leadi-ng the state. There is no ban on Hanuman Chalisa in the state, but why go to Matoshree and recite it? BJP is behind this.”