Navi Mumbai: FIR Against BJP's Nitesh Rane After He Asks Brokers To Deal Only With Hindus, Verify Aadhaar

BJP MLA Nitesh Rane faces an FIR for allegedly making derogatory remarks against a minority community during a Ganpati event. He reportedly urged Hindu real estate brokers to deal only with people of their own religion.

Navi Mumbai News: A case has been filed against former union minister Narayan Rane's son, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane for allegedly making derogatory remarks about a minority community during his speech at a Ganpati event in Navi Mumbai. The FIR was lodged on Sunday at the NRI police station following a complaint by a police officer after Nitesh Rane's remarks during a Ganpati celebration in Ulwe.

According to the Times Of India, Nitesh Rane reportedly urged real estate brokers to deal only with people of their own religion and to verify Aadhaar cards before making transactions. His speech has been criticised by the AIMIM, which claims that Rane's statements undermine the secular fabric of the country and are contrary to constitutional principles.

According to the complaint, Sankalp Gharat had organised a seven-day Ganpati celebration at Ulve without the necessary permissions. Rane, who was a chief guest at the event, is accused of targeting the minority community in his speech on September 11, news agency PTI reported. The complaint alleges that Rane’s comments were intended to incite discord among communities.

The FIR includes charges under sections 302 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace), and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Leave Aside 'Sarva Dharma Samabhava', We Should Only Care For Hindus: Nitesh Rane

Rane’s remarks included controversial references to the condition of Hindus in Islamic countries and a challenge to religious scholars to disprove his claims. He also urged the gathering to abandon the principles of equal respect for all religions, emphasising instead a focus on the welfare of Hindus, TOI reported.

In Ulwe, Rane referring to a particular religion remarked that its scriptures called for either conversion or killing of Hindus. He challenged any religious leader of that faith to deny his claim. He asked the gathering of devotees and real estate brokers to leave aside 'sarva dharma samabhava' (equal respect for all religions) and 'bhaichaaracha dongar'(hill of brotherhood). "We should only care for Hindus," he remarked, as quoted by TOI. 

This controversy follows another inflammatory speech by Rane in Ahmednagar on September 1, where he threatened violence against those who act against Hindu seer Ramgiri Maharaj. "I will threaten you in the language you understand. If you do anything against our Ramgiri Maharaj, we will come into your mosques and pick you off one by one. Keep this in mind," he had said. Two FIRs were filed against him at Srirampur and Topkhana police stations in Ahmednagar for his provocative statements.