BJP Minister's 'More Hindu' Remark Ignites Political Firestorm in Maharashtra
In a provocative statement that has intensified political tensions in Maharashtra, BJP minister Nitesh Rane on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Rane controversially claimed that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is 'more Hindu' than the former chief minister, injecting fresh fuel into an ongoing debate over the actor's recent appearance at a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) function.
The RSS Event That Triggered the Controversy
The controversy stems from an event held at Mumbai's Nehru Centre over the past weekend, organized as part of the RSS's centenary celebrations. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a keynote address at the program, which attracted numerous Bollywood celebrities, prominent sportspersons, and other eminent personalities from various fields. Salman Khan's presence among the attendees became a particular flashpoint, drawing both criticism and praise from different political quarters and sparking a wider societal discussion.
Rane's Direct Challenge to Thackeray's Hindu Credentials
Responding to media queries, Minister Nitesh Rane did not mince words in his comparison. "Salman Khan is more Hindu than Uddhav Thackeray," he declared emphatically. Rane further questioned Thackeray's religious identity, stating, "It needs to be checked whether Uddhav Thackeray is actually Hindu or not." The BJP leader contrasted Khan's attendance at the RSS event with what he portrayed as Thackeray's political timidity.
Rane posed a pointed rhetorical question: "Salman Khan at least had the courage to attend the RSS chief's programme. Will Uddhav Thackeray ever show the courage to stand before Congress MP Rahul Gandhi or even refer to his own father, Balasaheb Thackeray, as 'Hinduhhriday Samrat'?" This remark directly challenges Thackeray's alignment within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the Congress party, and invokes the legacy of his father, the late Shiv Sena founder known for his staunch Hindu nationalist stance.
Broader Political Reactions and Context
The political backdrop to this exchange is complex. The Shiv Sena (UBT), under Uddhav Thackeray, and the Congress are coalition partners in the opposition MVA bloc in Maharashtra. Prior to Rane's comments, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, a key Thackeray aide, had already criticized Salman Khan for his participation in the RSS event, setting the stage for the BJP's counterattack.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray offered a different perspective, suggesting that attendees at Bhagwat's program on February 7-8 were motivated more by fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government than by genuine affection for the RSS leader. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly dismissed this characterization, asserting that people participate in RSS events voluntarily and with discipline.
This incident highlights the ongoing political realignments and ideological battles in Maharashtra, where issues of cultural identity, political loyalty, and public symbolism frequently collide. The use of a high-profile celebrity like Salman Khan as a political pawn underscores the intersection of Bollywood and politics in India's public discourse.
