Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane has once again found himself at the center of a storm, controversially declaring that the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti government is a “Hindutvawadi” administration, brought to power exclusively by “Hindu votes.” His statement pointedly suggested that the Muslim community did not cast their ballots for the party.
These incendiary remarks were made during a visit to a Durga pandal organized by the Sakal Hindu Samaj in Mumbai’s Mankhurd neighborhood. Mr. Rane asserted that any disrespect towards Hindu deities during the festive period would not be tolerated.
He further elaborated on his electoral analysis, stating, “This government has been elected with the support of Hindu votes… Those who wear the skullcap did not vote for it,” a clear allusion to the Muslim electorate.
The Minister’s comments come amidst recent unrest in Mankhurd, where an alleged desecration of a Goddess Durga idol on Sunday night led to confrontations between two community groups.
During a ‘maha aarti‘ at the event, the influential BJP figure issued a stern warning against disrupting the state’s peace. “Celebrate your festivals peacefully, and we will celebrate ours. Don’t look at us sideways,” he admonished.
He unequivocally declared, “We will not tolerate anyone trying to disturb Mumbai’s atmosphere.”
Mr. Rane also assured that the government would expedite approvals for anyone seeking permission to celebrate festivals.
This latest controversy builds on previous contentious remarks. Just days prior, on Monday, he had controversially claimed that garba events during Navratri were becoming “epicentres” for “love jihad,” lending his support to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s recommendation for organizers to rigorously verify participants’ identities.
Going back to July, Mr. Rane had ignited another firestorm by referring to Muslims as “green snakes” in discussions about voting demographics, reiterating his claim that his election as an MLA was secured through the votes of Hindu constituents.