'Madrasas breed terrorists': BJP leader Nitesh Rane gives controversial statement, creates furore in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The alleged incident of prayers being offered at the Malegaon Municipal Corporation office in Maharashtra has taken a political turn. The controversy intensified after a statement by state government minister Nitesh Rane on the incident. Rane reacted strongly, saying that government offices should not be used for religious activities. He demanded strict action in this matter. He stated that the primary responsibility of elected representatives is to focus on the development of the area, not to promote religious activities.

What did Nitesh Rane say?

Nitesh Rane said, "This is a Hindu nation. No one is allowed to do this here... Were these people elected to develop Malegaon or to wage jihad? Why shouldn't such institutions be disbanded?" He further said, "Why should they offer prayers there when there are so many mosques? We will definitely demand action."

He also said, "Madrasses are centers for training terrorists... Would we ever have been allowed to set up centers for teaching the Bhagavad Gita in any Muslim country?... We have no other option but to close down those Madrasas where children are beaten..." Nitesh Rane on Wednesday called Madrasas "breeding grounds for terrorists" and said he would appeal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to close Islamic schools in the state.

Speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan campus, he intensified his attack by referring to a viral video allegedly showing a cleric beating a student. He said, "You have seen the video of the cleric beating children. It is from Sawantwadi, my home district, and I am also the District Guardian Minister. You will also know what strict action will be taken against them soon." Rane represents the Kankavli assembly seat in Sidhudurg district. He said, "I will teach them such a lesson that their hands will tremble before doing something like this to children next time."

Why are madrasas needed?

The BJP leader also questioned the need for madrasas. He said, "Why do you need madrasas? This is the basic thing. These madrasas are centers of terrorism. They train terrorists there." He added, "Why should we promote such madrasas? If you want to teach the Quran, you have mosques for that. Sometimes weapons are found in these madrasas, and sometimes incidents like beating of children occur." The minister said that his stand on Islamic schools is clear. He claimed, “I will speak to the CM and ask him to close all madrasas, as they are breeding grounds for terrorists.”

This part of Rane's statement has become a topic of widespread debate. Opposition parties and several social organizations have strongly objected to his statement, calling it divisive in society. Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi said that no terrorist activity takes place in any madrasa in India. He said, “If they want, they can install CCTV cameras in madrasas. They will be given room and food, and they can stay there and investigate. I can say with confidence that you will not find any such activity.”