BJP MLA Nitesh Rane's Mosque Threat Sparks Controversy And Legal Action

BJP MLA Nitesh Rane was charged with making a hate speech against Muslims, increasing tensions before the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

In a significant setback for the BJP, MLA Nitesh Rane was booked on Monday for alleged hate speech against Muslims. This development comes as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) intensifies criticism of the ruling Maha Yuti alliance ahead of Maharashtra's Assembly elections.

A viral video shows Rane threatening, "We will enter your mosques and hit you one by one. Keep this in mind," if anyone speaks against Ramgiri Maharaj.

Photo Credit: X/ANI

On Sunday, Rane spoke at two public events in Ahmednagar's Srirampur and Topkhana areas, supporting Hindu seer Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj. Last month, Ramagiri Maharaj delivered an inflammatory speech against Prophet Muhammad in Shah Panchale village, Nashik, causing tensions in places like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, as reported by PTI.

Political Reactions and Complaints

Mumbai Congress President Prof Varsha Gaikwad, along with senior Congress leaders, met Mumbai Police Chief Vivek Phansalkar to lodge a complaint against Rane. Gaikwad questioned the police's inaction, asking why those making provocative statements are not being held accountable. She highlighted that maintaining social harmony is the responsibility of the police and the Home Ministry, as per media reports.

AIMIM leader Waris Pathan also condemned Rane's speech. Pathan stated, "Rane is spreading hatred against Muslims in his entire speech. This is inflammatory speech, hate speech. BJP is trying to create communal violence in Maharashtra before the state assembly elections."

Rane's Defence Statement

Defending his remarks, Rane said they were made in support of Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj and claimed there was nothing new in his statement. He mentioned that several Muslim scholars have made similar statements to those of Ramgiri Maharaj. Rane added that people supporting Ramgiri Maharaj are receiving death threats, as per media reports.

Nitesh Rane is the son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane and brother of former MP Nilesh Rane. His controversial statement was made during a meeting organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj Ahmednagar to protest atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.

In response to accusations of disrupting social stability, Rane said he described himself as a 'Hindu Gabbar Singh' to reassure the Hindu community that they need not be afraid.