Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane has raised concerns about the “Love Jihad” threat during the upcoming Navratri events in Maharashtra. He has called on organisers to ensure that only Hindus attend Dandiya events.
Rane, who represents the Kankavli constituency in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, suggested that Aadhaar cards of attendees should be checked at all venues during Navratri events. He stated that it is the demand of the Hindu community to have participants from their own community during Navratri and Dandiya events. Rane highlighted incidents related to “Love Jihad” and religious conversion that often arise during such events.
He expressed concern about non-Hindus attending these events, wearing saffron and other Hindu attire and claiming to be Hindus. Rane believes that Hindu women are deceived and targeted in such instances. He has urged event organisers to check Aadhaar cards at the entrance to ensure that only Hindus are allowed, in order to avoid such difficulties for Hindu women.
Rane emphasized that there is ample evidence regarding cases of Love Jihad, and he hopes that event organisers will consider their appeal. He questioned the intentions of people from different communities attending Dandiya events and suggested that if they wish to join Navratri celebrations, they should convert to Hinduism.
Nitesh Rane is the son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane. It is important to note that except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.