• Source:JND
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Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane's statement that Hindus should ask the religion of shopkeepers before buying anything from them did not go well. Even his ally denounced his statement. Rane made the controversial remark in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack. On April 22, heavily armed terrorists attacked a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists from other states.

Shiv Sena leader Raju Waghmare said urging Hindus to ask shopkeepers' religion before buying goods remarks is wrong. He said, “The remarks of Nitesh Rane are absolutely wrong. It can be his personal statement but I don’t think it aligns with the BJP. Terrorism has no religion. I want to ask Nitesh Rane ji what answer will he give to the family members of Kashmiri Muslim Adil who was shot while saving Hindus. Our leader Eknath Shinde sahib gave Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to the family of Adil. We should not make this about Hindu and Muslim.”

"He Keeps Giving Hate Speeches": Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman

Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan also criticised Rane, saying he keeps giving such hate speeches.

Khan said, "He keeps giving such hate speeches. In my opinion, his statements should not be taken seriously. The country's Prime Minister is working to build the country, but Nitesh Rane is working to tear it apart. Sometimes he says, Do not buy anything from anyone and sometimes he says something else."

Khan stated that the country's Prime Minister is working to build the country, whereas Nitesh Rane is working to tear it apart.

He further added, "Adil sacrificed his life to save the tourists. Kashmiri Muslims are with the country. If you see, it is the first time that the Muslims of the country are so angry with Pakistan. Pakistan is being cursed from every mosque, every madrasa, so this has happened for the first time. The entire Muslim community is standing with the Prime Minister of the country..."

What Nitesh Rane Said?

Recently, during a gathering in Ratnagiri, Nitesh Rane said, "They asked our religion before killing us. Therefore, Hindus should also inquire about their religion before making a purchase. If they are asking about your religion and killing you, then you should also ask about their religion before shopping or buying anything. Hindu 'sangathans' should raise such a demand."

"Whenever you go shopping, ask about their religion. If they say they are Hindus, then tell them to recite Hanuman Chalisa. If they don't know how to recite Hanuman Chalisa, then don't buy anything from them," Rane further said.

According to some of the survivors, terrorists asked name and religion of male tourists before shooting them in Pahalgam. They also said the assailants asked some of the tourists to recite the 'kalma' (an Islamic declaration of faith) and those who failed to do so were shot dead.

Ask Them To Recite Hanuman Chalisa: Rane

"Whenever you go for shopping, ask their religion. If they say they are Hindus, then tell them to recite Hanuman Chalisa, If they don't know how to recite Hanuman Chalisa (devotional hymn in praise of Lord Hanuman) then don't buy anything from them," he told the crowd.

Referring to Aurangzeb, Rane maintained the Mughal emperor did not spare even his father and brother.

"Look at Aurangzeb. He did not respect even his father and brother. If he did not respect his father and brother, then how can they respect you people?" he asked.

(With agencies inputs)

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