Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitesh Rane has alleged that the recent NEET protest was used to promote a “Ghazwa-e-Hind” agenda, citing findings from a preliminary Maharashtra Cyber Crime report. However, the cyber investigation is still underway, and the claims mentioned in the report have not yet been independently verified.
Rane’s remarks have triggered political debate after he linked the student-led agitation to alleged foreign-backed digital campaigns instead of treating it solely as a protest over the NEET controversy.
Cyber Crime Report Flags Social Media Activity
According to the Maharashtra Cyber Crime report, misleading and inflammatory content related to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protests was widely circulated on social media. The report claims that investigators identified more than 500 social media accounts allegedly involved in spreading fake posts, AI-generated content, and deepfake videos aimed at creating public unrest.
The report also alleges that hundreds of these accounts were operating from Pakistan and countries in the Middle East. Investigators said the online activity may have contributed to tension during the protests.
The cyber crime department has said its investigation into the alleged digital network is continuing.
Rane Alleges Hidden Agenda
Referring to the report, Rane claimed that the original issue of the protest was the NEET examination but alleged that some groups used students to push a different agenda.
“The real issue was NEET, but some people used students to promote another agenda,” Rane said.
He further alleged that Hindu deities were insulted during the protests and claimed that attempts were made to spread the ideology of “Ghazwa-e-Hind.”
“Those sitting in Pakistan and acting as their masters were dreaming of Ghazwa-e-Hind. Our students were defamed, and such people will be selectively buried,” Rane said.
The BJP leader also alleged that objectionable remarks were made about Goddess Sita during the protests and claimed that slogans such as “Sar Tan Se Juda” were raised. He called for these allegations to be investigated.
Rane also questioned why, according to him, some people remained silent while stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra commented on the protests.
Foreign Link Probe Still Underway
The Maharashtra Cyber Crime report states that investigators are examining whether foreign-based social media accounts or organised digital networks attempted to influence the protests through misinformation, deepfake videos, and inflammatory online content.
The report notes that if the allegations are established during the investigation, the matter may go beyond law and order and could be treated as an issue involving national security and information warfare.
Authorities have not announced any conclusions, and the investigation remains ongoing. The allegations contained in the preliminary cybercrime report have not yet been proven or independently verified.
