‘Hate speech’ by Nitesh Rane: MIM says BJP wants to incite communal violence; police say speeches being probe

Jaleel said the way Rane is repeating coming to Ahmednagar district and making provocative statements raises doubts as to whether he has the backing of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “Is Fadnavis backing Rane,” Jaleel asked.

Ahead of the Assembly elections, Jaleel said it seems like the Mahayuti — and especially BJP — has chalked out a plan to trigger communal violence in Maharashtra. “If communal voilence takes place, the Mahayuti and BJP believe it will be in their interest ahead of the Assembly elections. This seems to be their tactical ploy to win the elections by causing rift between the two communities,” he said.

Demanding the arrest of Rane, Jaleel said, “In case of others, police waste no time in arresting the person or persons who make provocative statements. But why is Rane being given preferential treatment? Just because he is a BJP leader?”

Jaleel said even Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who claims to follow the ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is keeping silent. “Ajit Pawar says he follows the ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Why is Ajit Pawar keeping silent. The Muslim community is clearly unhappy with Ajit Pawar,” he said.

When contacted, Ahmednagar Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ola said, “We have registered two FIRs against Rane for his alleged inflammatory speeches and are investigating the matter.”

On whether there is any time-frame to complete the investigation, Ola said, “There is no deadline but we will complete it soon.”

Asked whether there was pressure on the police not to act against Rane, Ola denied it.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut, without taking the name of Rane, said, “A BJP MLA goes to Ahmednagar and talks of entering mosque and beating up people. We want to know from Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether he approves such a statement from the BJP MLA. If his statement is acceptable to Modi, then he should not enter mosques during his trips to foreign countries.

Raut said by allowing use of such language, BJP intends to incite communal violence. “Inciting communal violence is BJP’s top priority especially during election times,” he said.

On Sunday and Monday, the Ahmednagar police filed two FIRs against Rane. They were registered in Shrirampur and Topkhana police stations. A video from one of the events, Sakal Hindu Samaj Andolan, organised in Ahmednagar, in support of religious guru Ramgiri Maharaj was circulated on social media.

In the video, the Kankavli MLA is allegedly heard saying that if anyone speaks against the Maharaj, they will be beaten up. He is also heard allegedly using abusive language.

AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan has urged both Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis to take action against Rane.