Spreading Gita's message in 'mohallas' will strengthen Hindu Rashtra: Maharashtra minister Rane
PUNE: Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane said on Sunday that the idea of the Hindu Rashtra would be strengthened if teachings of the Bhagavad Gita were propagated in "mohallas" for the "transformation of thoughts".
Noting that the Gita never preaches hatred or advocates (religious) conversions, Rane said, "If its teachings spread to mohallas (Muslim areas), even their thoughts will transform. This will make our Hindu Rashtra stronger".
"Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita promote harmony and transformation of thought. Its message should reach every corner," he told reporters.
Amid a row over the inclusion of Hindi in the school curriculum from class 1 and demonstrations staged by the Opposition, Rane said, "No language is being made compulsory. Students can opt for Sanskrit as the third language if they wish".
The BJP leader claimed he never heard lyricist Javed Akhtar, actor Aamir Khan, or Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaking in the Marathi language.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have announced to organise a joint march against the "imposition" of Hindi in schools on July 5.
"Why not hold rallies in areas like Behrampada or Mohammad Ali Road? These are the places where Hindi is spoken. The day 'azaan' (Islamic call for prayer) is delivered in Marathi, we will know there is true respect for the language," he told reporters.
Rane further suggested that instead of deepening divides among Hindus, efforts should be made to teach Marathi to those who have lived in Mumbai for decades but have not embraced the language.
When asked about Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar advocating the introduction of Hindi from class 5, Rane said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will speak with Pawar.
He took a veiled swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray over the choice of language.
"If you studied at Bombay Scottish, why did you not choose Sanskrit? Why Spanish or French?" he asked.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
MP Upendra Kushwaha seeks fairer representation in parliament for Bihar and UP
Former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha on Sunday claimed that states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have an inadequate representation in Parliament and delimitation was necessary to set things right. I would urge my Hindu brethren to show some magnanimity, Kushwaha said.(ANI file) Addressing a rally in Gayaji, the Rajya Sabha MP also termed as "misleading" the contention that better implementation of family planning measures had slowed down the growth in population of southern states and delimitation would put these at a disadvantage. "If we see the period between 1881, when the first census was held under British Raj, and the Independence in 1947, the rate of growth in southern states was higher. The reason being famines and pandemics hitting Bihar and adjoining states like Uttar Pradesh with greater severity", claimed the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief. The RLM is an NDA partner. He said, "If we look at the data, in southern states there is a Lok Sabha constituency for every 21 lakh people while in Bihar and UP 31 lakh people elect one MP. This militates against Babasaheb Ambedkar's principle of one person one vote and every vote having an equal value". Kushwaha blamed the "injustice" on the Congress, saying, "During the Emergency, in 1976, the Delimitation Act was amended, which disrupted the earlier practice of census and delimitation taking place together. Now, the number of parliamentary constituencies has been static for 50 years. Otherwise, Bihar would have 60 MPs, 20 more than its current strength in the Lower House". He also said, "Over the years, the rate of population growth in the south has declined not because of performance of governments in states but due to improvement in education, which they could afford much before the Hindi heartland could catch up". "Education has been spreading in the Hindi-speaking states and this will have an impact on the growth of population here as well. But until that happens, let the region's representation in Parliament be commensurate with its population", said Kushwaha. He also expressed solidarity with Buddhists demanding full control of the Maha Bodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, where Buddha is said to have got enlightened 2,500 years ago. "I am myself a Hindu and not a Buddhist. But I would urge my Hindu brethren to show some magnanimity. They are free to have full control of crores of temples. Let them give up their claim on just one and prove that Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam is not a mere slogan", added Kushwaha. He also said, "Some may see me as a stormy petrel. When I was in the first council of ministers of Narendra Modi, my criticism of the collegium system in higher judiciary raised many eyebrows. But I consider myself a trailblazer. Today all parties are speaking against the discriminatory system of appointment of judges in High Courts and the Supreme Court".
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP MP Raghunandan Rao receives fresh threat calls
BJP MP M. Raghunandan Rao, already under security after previous threats, received new calls claiming Maoist teams are targeting him. The callers, identifying themselves as acting on orders from an Andhra Pradesh Maoist committee, stated five teams are assigned to eliminate him. Rao, currently recovering from surgery, has filed a police complaint from the hospital. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads BJP MP M Raghunandan Rao on Sunday received fresh "threat calls" on his phone, his office Lok Sabha member from Medak in Telangana, got threat calls on June 23, with the caller identifying himself as a Maoist from Madhya callers told him on Sunday that five teams are on the job to eliminate him as per the orders of Maoist committee of Andhra Pradesh, Rao's office callers also stated that their details would not be known as they are making calls using the underwent a surgery to his leg two days ago and is currently recovering in a private super-speciality lodged a complaint with the police from the hospital, his office the threats he received on June 23, police have deployed armed personnel and an escort vehicle for his security.
Indian Express
44 minutes ago
- Indian Express
After Hindi imposition GR scrapped: Uddhav, Raj Thackeray cancel protest march, to hold victory rally now
With the Maharashtra government scrapping the Government Resolutions on the three language policy in primary school curriculums in the state, the much anticipated July 5 protest march, organised by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) where the two Thackeray cousins Raj and Uddhav were expected to share stage, has now been cancelled. While Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut announced that the July 5 march has been called off following the GR rollback, terming it as a ' Marathi people's victory, Uddhav announced that the originally planned protest on July 5 would now be converted into a celebratory public meeting or victory rally. 'The government's imposition lost to the unity of Marathi people. Now instead of the protest March, we will now hold a victory rally and gathering. The venue and final format will be decided in consultation with all participants in the coming days,' Uddhav said after the announcement of scrapping the GRs. MNS chief Raj Thackeray also termed it as a victory but reacted with a stern warning. 'We believe both GRs have been cancelled permanently — and it better be. If there is any attempt to revive this through the Narendra Jadhav committee, we will not allow that committee to function in Maharashtra,' Thackeray posted on X. He termed it as a decisive victory for the Marathi People and said that had the July 5 march taken place, it would have been so massive and it would've reminded people of the days of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. 'Maybe the government got scared of the unity of Marathi people — and if it did, it should be! This fear must stay! Now the government has announced a new committee. Let me say this clearly: Whether the committee's report comes or not – such attempts will not be tolerated government must etch this into its memory permanently. We consider this decision permanently revoked, and so do the people of Maharashtra. So do not try to create confusion again through any committee report. If that happens, this committee will not be allowed to function in Maharashtra. Let the government take note,' Raj said in his post. Addressing a press conference at his Matoshree residence in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray also launched a scathing attack on the state government, alleging that the attempt to introduce Hindi under the three-language formula was part of a 'hidden agenda' by the BJP which has be now completely defeated due to strong resistance of Marathi people. 'The BJP wanted to divide the Marathi community by creating a Marathi vs non-Marathi narrative and then pull non-Marathi votes towards themselves,' Thackeray alleged. 'But the Marathi people showed maturity. They did not fall for the trap. The movement was not against Hindi, but against imposition. And because it was about resisting imposition, the unity held.' he said. Thackeray said the state was hoping that the protest would fracture from within but it did not and hence the government was forced to withdraw the GRs. 'They believed the protest would splinter and that a divided Marathi voice would benefit them. But that didn't happen. That is why the GRs had to be withdrawn,' he said. Terming the BJP's approach a propaganda machine, Uddhav said that the BJP has turned into a factory of lies. 'They manufacture fake narratives, spread rumours, and use them to gather votes. But this time, they got a fitting reply.' He also criticised the formation of the Narendra Jadhav committee to review the language policy. 'Committee or no committee — we will not tolerate Hindi imposition. This time the GRs were rolled back. But let the government know: this issue is over. We consider the decision permanently withdrawn.' Calling on the people to remain vigilant, Thackeray added, 'Don't wait for another crisis. Remain alert and aware. The Marathi community's unity and anger were visible — and they must remain. Those trying to undermine Marathi are not outsiders, but insiders who have no emotional connection with the language.' On allegations from CM Fadnavis claiming that the three language formula was approved by Uddhav Thackeray himself when he was CM in the MVA government, Uddhav said the report cited by the government was never considered by the cabinet under him and he di not give any such approval. 'I didn't even read the report… The report was never under consideration and I never issued any GR. This government issued the GR so it should stop spreading lies now ,' Uddhav said. Earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena (UBT) held a symbolic burning of the government resolution (GR) at Azad Maidan, with several opposition leaders joining in to register their opposition to the three languages policy.
