Only buy Diwali goods from those wearing tilak: Nitesh Rane

Mumbai: Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister Nitesh Rane sparked controversy yet again after urging Hindu devotees to purchase Diwali items, including firecrackers, exclusively from visibly Hindu sellers, drawing accusations of spreading hate from the Opposition.

Omitting any mention of other religious groups, he appealed to the Hindu community to buy festive goods specifically from those who wear tilak, say “Jai Shri Ram“, and recite religious prayers.

“I would urge the Hindu community that, while shopping for the occasion of Diwali, you should buy goods from shopkeepers who say ‘Jai Shri Ram’, wear a tilak on their foreheads, and know how to recite the Hanuman Chalisa or the Maha Aarti,” Rane told IANS on Tuesday, October 27.

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Minister Nitesh Rane says, "… I would urge the Hindu community that, while shopping for the occasion of Diwali, you should buy goods from shopkeepers who say 'Jai Shri Ram', wear a tilak on their foreheads, and know how to recite the Hanuman Chalisa or the… pic.twitter.com/vklYyuzjKM

— IANS (@ians_india) October 27, 2026

Only works to spread hatred, riots: Opposition slams Rane

Rane’s remarks were not well-received, with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Bhai Virendra demanding an apology from the BJP minister for spreading communal hatred.

Speaking to IANS on the matter, Virendra said, “I know Rane’s father, who was a former Congress leader. Some people are opportunists who would switch parties at any time to get a position in the cabinet.”

According to him, those individuals “don’t have original thoughts” and “only work to spread riots and communal hatred” in the country.

He added that those who incite people through their words also suffer the consequences of the violence caused by them. Virendra said Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs had fought together for the country’s freedom, stressing that Idnia is a secular nation and not a Hindu nation. He demanded that Rane withdraw his statement and apologise to the people.

It’s RSS-BJP scheme, says Congress leader

Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also criticised Rane, saying that as a minister, he should be aware of the Constitution and remember the oath he had taken.

“Being a minister, he should be aware of the Constitution. He should remember that he took an oath. He is there just to incite animosity between the two religions. This is RSS and BJP’s scheme,” said Wadettiwar.

He questioned if the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the ruling BJP are caretakers of Hindus, as they have made it their “job” to create differences between the two faiths.

Senior Congress leader and former MP Hussain Dalwai said “men like Rane” can only create animosity and that the minister has no role in taking such decisions.

“The Chief Minister is responsible for taking these decisions. He is not. Men like him can only create animosity between two religions,” Dalwai said.

He also dismissed the possibility of Rane’s remarks influencing people’s purchasing decisions. “People are not going to follow this. Only those items that are of quality and cost-effective will be sold. People are not going to see whether the shopkeeper is Hindu or Muslim. Thinking that this statement will have an impact is wrong,” he added.

Rane reportedly claimed that money spent on purchasing goods from Muslims would be used to support extremism. He further said that Hindus should interact only with other Hindus, adding that when Muslims celebrate religious festivals, Hindus would not be allowed to participate in them.

Rane has been booked several times in the last few years for inciting and targeting Muslims with communally charged statements.

(With inputs from IANS)

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