Addressing a press conference, Gaikwad said that the use of loudspeakers was a violation of Section 33 of the Bombay Police Act and permission had to be taken from the local police stations for their use.

He said that the ban on loudspeakers in the city, imposed by the police commissioner in the wake of the Babri Masjid demolition six years ago, had not yet been lifted. Loudspeakers were being used for inciting religious sentiments and triggering communal clashes in Maharashtra, he alleged.

The convener cited a judgement of the Calcutta High Court which said that the use of loudspeakers for prayers was illegal. He cited an instance when six Muslim priests had been charged for contempt of court.

Alleging that thecountry was being destabilised by conversions, Gaikwad said the Dal was asking for a complete ban on the practice. ``Wherever the Hindu population has been reduced, secessionism has taken root,'' he charged, pointing to the seven north-eastern states and Jammu & Kashmir.

Gaikwad believed cow slaughter had depleted the country's agrarian resources, and led to unemployment and migration to urban areas. The Bajrang Dal is to hold a rally at the Azad Maidan later this month, highlighting these issues, he said.