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Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitish Rane has recently sparked a political debate by giving a controversial statement. Terming Kerala as ‘mini Pakistan’, he targeted Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. There was an uproar after this statement of Rane, after which he tried to justify his allegations by giving clarification.
Nitesh Rane’s statement and its clarification
Nitish Rane had said in his statement that the agenda of “love jihad” and conversion is being run in Kerala. He alleged, “I called Kerala a mini Pakistan because Hindu and Muslim women are being converted there.” He took a dig at Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying that they contest elections from Kerala because there is “support for terrorists” there.
Justifying his statement, Rane said, “If my allegation is wrong, then Congress should prove me wrong. It is true that Rahul and Priyanka get victory from Kerala because the environment there is created in their favour. We have to focus on such issues to make India a Hindu nation.”
Pinarayi Vijayan hit back
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reacted strongly to Nitish Rane’s statement. He called it an attempt to defame Kerala and its secular identity. Pinarayi Vijayan wrote on social media platform “X”:
“Maharashtra Minister Nitish Rane calling Kerala a mini Pakistan is highly condemnable. This statement is not only derogatory but also exposes the hateful agenda of the Sangh Parivar. Kerala has always been a land of communal harmony and secularism.”
Vijayan said such statements show the “anti-Kerala mentality” of the Sangh Parivar. He appealed to the people of Kerala to unite against such “hate agenda”.
Nitesh Rane and history of controversial statements
Nitesh Rane is the son of senior Maharashtra leader Narayan Rane and a minister in the Devendra Fadnavis government. He has been in the headlines earlier also for his controversial statements. Recently, while commenting on the possible victory of Priyanka Gandhi from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, he had called Kerala ‘mini Pakistan’.
Rane had also said, “Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi find it easy to contest elections from Kerala because the Muslim population is high there. They take support from terrorists and become MPs with their help. This can be asked and will prove to be true.”
Emphasis on Kerala’s secular identity
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan defended the state’s cultural and social identity, saying that Kerala has always maintained secularism and communal harmony. He said, “This statement has been given only to defame Kerala. But the people of Kerala will foil the conspiracies of the Sangh Parivar.”
political impact of the controversy
This statement has become a topic of discussion not only in Kerala politics but also at the national level. This statement has further increased the already ongoing conflict between BJP and Congress. While BJP leaders are standing in support of Nitish Rane, Congress has strongly condemned his statement.