‘Jihadi, anti-Hindu gathering’: Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane hits out at Uddhav-Raj rally

BJP leader Nitesh Rane has lambasted the joint rally of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray, terming it as a "jihadi and anti-Hindu gathering" aimed at dividing society.

 

Talking to reporters, Rane, a minister in the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet, said, "We are Hindus and also proud Marathi. The way jihadis attempt to divide our society, these people are doing the same”.

 

“Be it the Popular Front of India (PFI) or Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) who work against the idea of a Hindu Rashtra, these two (Thackerays) are no different. They are trying to weaken the state."

 

READ | Uddhav and Raj Thackeray vow to stay united, say 'credit goes to CM Fadnavis'

 

Rane said the Worli rally to mark the victory against the Maharashtra government's move to make Hindi compulsory in schools could be equated to the rallies of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), PFI or SIMI.

 

“It will cause the biggest damage to Hindus in the state. After the rally, sweets will be distributed in Null Bazar (a Muslim-dominated area in Mumbai) and firecrackers will be burst. It is an anti-Hindu rally," the minister went on to allege.

 

READ | Will Raj, Uddhav Thackeray's 'victory rally' set a new course in Maratha politics?

 

The Thackeray brothers shared stage nearly two decades after Raj quit the Shiv Sena in 2005 and floated the MNS the following year.

 

Addressing the rally, both Raj and Uddhav launched a scathing attack on the Devendra Fadnavis government, accusing it of trying to impose Hindi in the state.

 

Uddhav hinted at contesting the upcoming civic elections together.

 

"We have come together to stay together. We will together capture power in the Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra," he said at the rally.

India