Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane has come under fire after making controversial remarks suggesting that the Islamic call to prayer, Azaan, should be recited in Marathi instead of Arabic, and that madrasas should teach Marathi instead of Urdu. He claimed that without such changes, “all you get from there is a gun.”
Rane made these comments in response to the Congress party reportedly opening Marathi-medium schools in Mumbai. He questioned the need for such schools, claiming instead that Muslims should be told to give Azaan in Marathi and stop teaching Urdu in madrasas.
His statement triggered criticism from several opposition leaders, who accused him of inciting communal hatred for political gain.
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said, “BJP leaders like Rane are trying to spread hate in Maharashtra before elections.” He called the remarks an attempt to divide people on the basis of religion and language.
Congress MLA Amin Patel pointed out that madrasas already use multiple languages, including Marathi, English, and Hindi, and that Azaan is traditionally recited in Arabic. “Language and religion are not the same,” Patel said. “Is Nitesh Rane himself taking any Marathi classes?” he added sarcastically.
NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Rohit Pawar also criticized Rane, calling his comments politically motivated. “The Home Ministry has the responsibility to investigate illegal activities, if any. Ministers like Rane should not use such issues to create communal tension.”
NCP-SP state president Shashikant Shinde said that if Rane truly had concerns, he should raise them in the cabinet rather than making public statements that provoke division. “Who is stopping him?” Shinde asked.
This is not the first time Rane has made controversial statements targeting Muslims. He has previously faced police complaints for his provocative remarks, including comments on burqas and madrasas.
