Maharashtra’s controversial Minister Nitesh Rane and son of former Union Minister Narayan Rane sparked a row labelling Kerala as “mini-Pakistan”
“Kerala is mini-Pakistan. That is why Rahul Gandhi and his sister are elected from there. All terrorists vote for them. This is the truth, you can ask. They have become MPs after taking terrorists with them.” Nitesh Rane allegedly said while addressing a public rally in Pune’s Purandar tehsil.
As expected Rane’s remark drew strong condemnation from the Congress, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP who strongly condemned his remarks.
Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe took the lead and questioned Rane’s eligibility to occupy the ministerial post after such a cavalier attitude and irresponsible behaviour. “At the time of taking oath as a cabinet minister in Maharashtra Nitesh Rane had pledged to uphold the unity and integrity of the country intact but he is doing just the opposite and is calling Kerala a “mini-Pakistan“ and its voters as terrorists. After such an irresponsible behaviour does he deserve to remain in the Cabinet?” Londhe said.
Criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for allowing Rane to continue in the cabinet. “Is this the kind of work he is being entrusted with?” Patil asked.
“The BJP leaders are not able to digest Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s win,’ Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey was quoted as saying.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too chipped in to criticise Nitesh Rane for his remark against Kerala.
“The derogatory remark by Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, labelling Kerala as ‘mini-Pakistan’, is deeply malicious & utterly condemnable. Such rhetoric reflects the hate campaigns orchestrated by the Sangh Parivar against Kerala, a bastion of secularism & communal harmony. We strongly denounce this vile attack on Kerala, & call upon all democratic & secular forces to unite against Sangh Parivar’s hateful propaganda,” Vijayan said in a post on X.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey criticized Rane’s remarks, asserting that they reflect the BJP’s dissatisfaction over electoral losses. He questioned the government’s failure to address the issues Rane raised, including the presence of a governor in Kerala and the central government’s authority.
Taken aback by the negative reactions on his comments, Nitesh Rane attempted to clarify that he was referring to the situation in Kerala and did not intend to the cast aspersions on state or its people.
According to him he was referring to the fact how the Hindu population was declining and large number of religious conversions were taking place in Kerala. “Hindu women were being targeted and ‘love jihad’ cases are rising,” Rane said.
“Kerala is very much part of India. However, the decreasing population of Hindus is something everyone should worry about,” Rane said. He likened the situation to the treatment of Hindus in Pakistan and argued that the country must address such issues if similar situations arise domestically.
Rane further defended his comments by asserting that his remarks were based on factual concerns, mentioning that he was accompanied by a person who had helped prevent the conversion of 12,000 Hindu women. He also claimed that local support for Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi in Wayanad could be attributed to support from “terrorists.”
But all said and done Rane is no stranger to controversy. A few months back he reportedly threatened to hit the Muslims and a police case was filed against him.
In August 2024 a court here has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him in a defamation complaint lodged against him by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.
In yet another instance the Navi Mumbai police had lodged a case against him for allegedly using the word ‘Dalit’ while speaking to a news channel