BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and Sri Ramgiri Maharaj Face Alleged ‘STSJ’ Threats from AIMIM Rally.

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Controversy Erupts as AIMIM Rally Sparks Concerns Over Alleged ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ Threats to BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and Hindu Leader Ramgiri Maharaj.

Shivendra Shinde | HENB | Mumbai | Sept 24, 2024:: Maharashtra faces unrest ahead of Assembly Elections, as religion is used for political gain. NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (UBT) have previously supported AIMIM, and its allied  Islamist groups. Currently, they support calls for Hindu Saint Ramgiri Maharaj’s execution. A viral video shows Islamists chanting ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ (STSJ) slogans against him. The chants were part of an AIMIM-led rally from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Mumbai, led by Syed Moin. However, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (UBT) did not oppose such threats to Raamgiri Maharaj and BJP MLA Nitesh Rane.

The “Chalo Mumbai” rally, organized by AIMIM, took a contentious turn when marchers shouted slogans like “Allah-hu-Akbar” and “La ilaha illallah” alongside calls for strict punishment against a Hindu saint for his remarks about Mohammed. Although initially described as peaceful, social media videos revealed violent slogans like ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ (Cut the head from Body). This rally, held on September 22, was led by AIMIM’s state vice president Syed Moin, and a follow-up rally on September 23 was headed by Imtiaz Jaleel.

The AIMIM’s “Chalo Mumbai Tiranga” rallies aim to address rising communal tensions in Maharashtra ahead of the Assembly elections. These events have sparked concerns about the use of religion for political gain and potential unrest.

Incidents like these aren’t isolated; there have been previous instances of AIMIM members facing controversy, such as the party’s candidate being booked for pro-Pakistan slogans during a rally in Jharkhand.

Imtiyaz Jaleel, the leader of AIMIM, stressed the importance of reminding the Chief Minister that India operates under the Constitution and the law. He advocated for a law that prohibits statements based on caste or religion and emphasized that derogatory remarks against religious figures should face strict legal consequences.

Mumbai Police and Thane Police took proactive measures to maintain peace by setting up checkpoints at all city borders, preventing Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally from entering Mumbai. This rally was organized in response to BJP leader Nitesh Rane’s defense of Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj’s comments at a public event, which sparked controversy.

Jaleel criticized the lack of action against Rane despite multiple FIRs filed against him. He emphasized that Muslims are being openly threatened, and questioned why no police action has been taken, citing these as illegal acts.

Nitesh Rane, known for his candid and fiery statements, made a comment comparing the crowd size at a recent rally to a popular Indian breakfast dish, Poha. He took to social media platform X to express his thoughts, posting: “I eat this much Poha for breakfast.”

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Rane’s statement seems to downplay the rally’s attendance and significance, indicating his disagreement or dismissal of the event’s impact. His comment reflects the ongoing political tensions and rhetorical exchanges in Maharashtra.

Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj faced backlash in August after allegedly making comments that insulted Mohammad, sparking STSJ calls from Islamists. During a sermon in Nashik’s Sinnar region on August 16, he urged Hindus to stand up for their rights following targeted killings of Bangladeshi Hindus.

A video of his sermon, highlighting historical instances of disrespect towards women by Islamists, went viral on social media. However, Ramgiri Maharaj clarified that his comments were taken out of context and part of a broader discussion on Rajdharma and justice. He emphasized his intention was not to incite communal discord but to empower Hindus against oppression.

Multiple cases were registered against Ramgiri Maharaj in Mumbai and Thane for hurting religious sentiments and making objectionable remarks about Prophet Mohammad and his wife ¹. The police have initiated investigations under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including inciting another class of community, spreading rumors, and promoting violence against any religion.

This controversy led to tensions between communities, with hundreds of Muslims demanding action against Ramgiri Maharaj in Thane. The situation escalated, resulting in violence and injuries during a protest march in Nashik, prompting police intervention.

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__Inputs from Agencies