Maharashtra BJP MLA Nitish Rane has threatened to ‘find’ and kill Muslims by entering mosques. He has come under severe criticism for making such communal statements in public gatherings.
Ahmednagar police filed two cases against him after such videos went viral on social media. The police have taken this action under some compulsion.
“Two FIRs have been registered against Nitesh Rane at Srirampur and Topkhana police stations, about 260 km from Mumbai, for criminal intimidation, willful breach of peace and hurting religious sentiments,” an Indian police official told news agency PTI.
Incidentally, Ramgiri Maharaj has been making provocative statements since last month by making insulting comments about Islam and the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH). This created intense tension across the state.
In a meeting in support of Ramgiri Maharaj in Ahmednagar on Friday, Nitesh Rane said, ‘If you say anything against Ramgiri Maharaj, I will enter the mosque and find and kill Muslims. Keep that in mind’.
Meanwhile, Asaduddin Waisi’s party Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) has reacted strongly to the whole issue. Leader of the party Imtiaz Jalil said, ‘Ramgiri Maharaj’s comments are part of a political conspiracy. Action should be taken against him’.
Party spokesperson Warish Pathan said, ‘In Ahmednagar, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane is openly threatening to enter the mosque and kill Muslims one by one. He is spreading hatred against Muslims in public meetings. BJP is trying to spread communal hatred in Maharashtra ahead of assembly polls. Rane should be taken into police custody as soon as possible on the basis of the FIR’.
Meanwhile, due to the controversy, Nitish Rane’s comments ‘not of the party’ have been claimed by the BJP. Party spokesperson Tuhin Sinha criticized Nitish Ran.
“Such comments have no place in the party and no politician should ever make such comments,” Sinha said.