"Stands with folded hands when he meets me in person": Nitesh Rane tears into Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman

Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], June 4 : Responding to the threat of a notice from the Minority Commission over controversial remarks on Bakra Eid, Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Development Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitesh Rane on Wednesday took a dig at Maharashtra State Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan "stands with folded hands" before him during in person meetings, advising him to "act responsibly" given his post.
"Pyare Khan speaks about me on TV, but when he meets me in person, he stands with folded hands," Rane told reporters here.
He said Khan should focus on bringing the Muslim and minority communities together. Hindus don't insult others when they are advised to celebrate festivals in an eco-friendly manner, Rane added.
"I believe that a person holding a responsible position should act responsibly. As the Chairman of the Minority Commission, Pyare Khan should focus on how he can bring the Muslim and minority communities together and how he can educate them. However, his current position is tarnishing the image of Islam. Hindus accept it when eco-friendly Holi, eco-friendly Diwali, and firecracker-free Diwali are suggested to the Hindu community. We don't go around insulting other religions," the BJP leader said.
He reiterated his remarks about Bakra Eid, suggesting that the festival should be celebrated in an eco-friendly manner. He said that the "Muslim" community must consider the same approach as "Hindus" in celebrating festivals.
"The Hindu community doesn't flex its power in such matters. Similarly, I advise Muslims to consider the same approach. Just as Hindus respect the advice of environmentalists and avoid firecrackers or colour play, Muslims should celebrate an eco-friendly Bakri Eid. That's my good advice - where is the question of creating a Hindu-Muslim conflict in this?" Rane asked.
He claimed that Bakra Eid festivities make "Hindu citizens" uncomfortable due to the slaughtering of goats in societies, which creates the potential for disputes between the two communities. He said that the advice given to prevent such mishaps must be heard.
"Bakri Eid makes Hindu citizens uncomfortable because goats are slaughtered in their societies, creating many questions and potential disputes between the two communities. Such disputes could even lead to riots. If someone is advising to prevent that, it should be heard. When advice is given to Hindus, do they create an uproar or use force?" Rane said.
"When Abu Azmi says, 'We will slaughter the goat,' it clearly shows the patience of the Hindu community. So, it's clear to Maharashtra who is tarnishing the name of Islam and who is maligning Devendra Fadnavis. I advise Pyare Khan to reflect on what I said and challenge the Muslim community to accept that what I said is in their own interest. In this way, an eco-friendly Bakri Eid should be celebrated," he said, adding, "If tension is created between two communities, unrest can arise. Since we are here, there's no question of riots. If Maharashtra is to be kept peaceful, the eco-friendly Bakri Eid is the way forward."
Meanwhile, Khan accused Rane of "maligning" the name of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis by making such statements, saying that it was not right.
"Has any Muslim ever commented on Diwali or Holi? Muslims never comment on the festivals of other religions, but they celebrate every festival as their own...Nitesh Rane always makes statements by quoting the name of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, which is not right...Maligning the name of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis is not right," Khan told reporters.
Rane's remarks against Pyare Khan came after the latter said that the State Minority Commission would issue a notice to the minister under section 10 if there is a conflict between two communities or if there are riots.
"The government here considers the law above all else. If there is a conflict between two communities or a riot takes place, the Minority Commission will issue a notice to Nitesh Rane under Section 10 that the riot has happened because of you," Khan told ANI earlier.
"Nitesh Rane should not make hateful statements. He repeatedly taunts Indian Muslims about Pakistan, which is not right. Muslims who went to Pakistan were dishonest, and those who stayed in India are honest. His biggest problem is that PM Modi, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, like the muslims of India," he added.