Muslims have reacted angrily to Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane's recent statement on Bakri Eid, asking the community to celebrate their festivals according to the rules of 'Hindu Rashtra'.
Rane had commented before the media, saying that the 'Hindutva Wadi' government would open its 'third eye' and give lawbreakers their due. Bakri Eid, the festival of sacrifice, is scheduled to be celebrated between June 6 and 7.
Muslims said that Rane's comments constituted hate speech. Advocate Abid Abbas Sayyed, who filed a formal representation to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court, apart from the state government, seeking registration of an FIR against Rane, said that the comments were for 'incendiary hate speech.' Rane was not available for a comment.
Sayyed said that Rane, who is currently functioning both as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Maharashtra, has not only violated the law but has also been undermining the secular and democratic ethos of the country through 'repeated and public dissemination of hate-filled, communally charged statements'.
Sayyed's representation seeks the registration of FIR, initiation of Chapter Proceedings, and constitutional sanction to prosecute Rane for hate speech and dereliction of constitutional duties. The representation asks for registration of criminal complaints under sections 153, 295, 356, and 337 of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita 2023 for hate speech, outraging religious sentiments, and provoking enmity between groups. Rane had allegedly been making similar statements since 2024, the representation added.
Former corporator, Haji Siraj Mohammad, said that Rane had sworn to uphold the country's Constitution when he became a minister. "Islam asks us to respect other religions. We will follow the Constitution. We appeal to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to dismiss Rane from the post because he has violated the Constitution with his remarks," said Mohammad.
