Maharashtra Port Development Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane has once again triggered controversy after making remarks on Bakrid, madrassas, religious conversion and cow slaughter during a public event in Maharashtra’s Neral area of Karjat taluka.
Speaking at a “Virat Hindu Sammelan,” Rane questioned environmental activists for what he described as selective criticism of Hindu festivals. He claimed that during festivals like Holi and Diwali, environmentalists often advise Hindus to avoid water wastage and crackers but remain silent during Bakrid.
“Whenever Hindu festivals come, people start giving lectures on celebrating dry Holi or avoiding crackers on Diwali,” Rane said. Challenging environmentalists, he added, “If they have courage, they should ask Muslims to celebrate ‘virtual Bakrid’ by putting a goat’s picture on a computer instead of sacrificing animals.”
Rane also referred to Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, saying, “Savarkar had said Hindus are not in danger from Muslims, but from inactive Hindus among themselves.”
Remarks on Gita, Quran and Religious Conversion
During his speech, Rane also made controversial comments comparing religious teachings. He claimed that the Bhagavad Gita does not promote conversion or expansion of religion by changing another person’s faith.
Referring to the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Rane said Sambhaji Maharaj did not change his religion despite suffering torture under Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
“Some people get tempted and convert their religion, but Sambhaji Maharaj did not,” Rane said. He further alleged that “Sanatan Dharma does not teach the destruction of other religions to grow its own faith, but Islam does.”
He also expressed concern over alleged attacks on Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh and spoke about issues related to “jihad,” population growth and Hindutva.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.