Despite FIRs and Threats to Cops, Police Ignore Nitesh Rane’s Anti-Muslim Speeches: A Political Blind Eye.

Despite FIRs and Threats to Cops, Police Ignore Nitesh Rane’s Anti-Muslim Speeches: A Political Blind Eye.

                    In a troubling display of communal rhetoric, Nitesh Rane, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Maharashtra, has repeatedly made inflammatory anti-Muslim statements, threatening violence and promoting religious animosity. Despite multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) being filed against him, law enforcement agencies in Maharashtra seem to have turned a blind eye to his actions, raising serious concerns about the enforcement of the rule of law and the protection of minority rights in India.

Not the First Hate Speech, Not the First FIR

Nitesh Rane is no stranger to controversy. Over the past two years, he has been a frequent speaker at Hindutva rallies organized by the Sakal Hindu Samaj across Maharashtra. These events are notorious for their divisive speeches, which often include derogatory remarks about Muslims, unverified claims of "love jihad" and "land jihad," and calls for economic boycotts of the Muslim community. Rane's speeches are particularly alarming, as he openly encourages violence against Muslims and promises to shield those who take the law into their own hands.

For instance, at a rally in Malegaon on 7 July 2023, Rane claimed that Muslims were plotting to overthrow the Indian Constitution and establish Sharia law, dubbing a Muslim locality in the area as "mini Pakistan." Just ten days later, in Solapur, he warned that anyone praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb should prepare themselves for a burial in the nearest graveyard. Such inflammatory rhetoric is not only dangerous but also illegal under Indian law, which prohibits hate speech and the incitement of violence.

FIRs Against Nitesh Rane & Struggles to File Them

Despite the blatantly communal nature of Rane's speeches, filing FIRs against him has been a Herculean task. In January 2024, an FIR was registered against Rane and another controversial figure, Raja Singh, for their hate speeches in Solapur. However, this was merely the first FIR in a long line of complaints against Rane that the police have either ignored or been slow to act upon.

The reluctance of the police to act against Rane is not surprising, given his political connections. He is the son of Narayan Rane, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a former minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet. This political lineage seems to have provided him with a shield of impunity, allowing him to continue his hate-filled tirades without fear of legal repercussions.

In several instances, activists and citizens' bodies have had to approach the courts to compel the police to file FIRs against Rane. For example, in March 2024, residents of Mira Road, a suburb of Mumbai, filed a petition in the Bombay High Court demanding action against Rane for his role in inciting communal unrest. Similarly, the human rights organization Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) lodged multiple complaints against Rane’s hate speeches in Mumbai and Thane. Despite these efforts, progress has been slow, and justice remains elusive.

Will Devendra Fadnavis Act?

The inaction of the Maharashtra police in the face of Rane’s hate speech raises questions about the state government’s commitment to upholding the law. Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a prominent BJP leader, has so far remained silent on the issue. His silence is particularly concerning, given that he is also the state's Home Minister, responsible for law and order.

Fadnavis's inaction is indicative of a larger problem within the BJP, where hate speech and communal rhetoric are often tolerated, if not outright encouraged, as a means of consolidating the party’s Hindu nationalist base. This political strategy, however, comes at a significant cost. It undermines the rule of law, erodes public trust in the police, and exacerbates communal tensions, potentially leading to violence.

Moreover, the failure to hold Rane accountable sends a dangerous message to other politicians who might be tempted to use hate speech as a tool for political gain. It emboldens them to continue their divisive rhetoric, knowing that they are unlikely to face any serious consequences.

The Legal and Ethical Imperative for Action

The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech, but it also places reasonable restrictions on this right, particularly when speech endangers public order or incites violence. Rane’s speeches clearly fall within this category, and his continued impunity represents a serious failure of the state’s legal and moral responsibilities.

The police must act swiftly and decisively to investigate the FIRs against Rane and bring him to justice. This is not only a legal necessity but also an ethical one. The rule of law must be upheld, and the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religion, must be protected. Failure to do so will only deepen the divisions in society and further erode the credibility of the state’s institutions.

Nitesh Rane’s repeated hate speeches and the Maharashtra police’s failure to act against him highlight a troubling pattern of impunity for politicians who incite communal violence. This pattern is not just a legal issue but a threat to the very fabric of India’s pluralistic society. It is imperative that the state government, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, takes immediate action to hold Rane accountable and sends a clear message that hate speech will not be tolerated, regardless of the speaker’s political connections. Only then can we hope to uphold the principles of justice and equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution.