Teach Marathi in Madrasas, ‘All One Gets There is a Gun’: Minister Nitesh Rane’s Remark Sparks Row
Maharashtra minister and senior BJP leader Nitesh Rane has ignited a major political firestorm by claiming that “all one gets from” madrasas is a gun, and called for Marathi to be compulsorily taught in these institutions instead of Urdu. The minister’s inflammatory remarks, made while reacting to a Congress initiative, have drawn fierce backlash from opposition leaders who accused him of deliberately trying to create communal unrest.
In a statement that has since gone viral, Rane, the state’s Fisheries and Ports Development Minister, linked Islamic religious schools directly to violence. “There is no need to have separate Marathi schools. Instead of Urdu, teach Marathi in madrasas. Tell the clerics to teach Marathi in madrasas so we feel that real education happens there. Otherwise, all one gets from there is a gun,” he said.
The controversy began as Rane was commenting on recent reports about the Congress party starting Marathi pathshalas (schools) in some areas of Mumbai. Questioning the move, he urged the opposition to instead focus on the Muslim community. “Why does Congress need to run Marathi schools? The opposition should ask Muslims to give the Azaan (call to prayer) in Marathi,” Rane added.
The minister’s comments come at a sensitive time for the state, which has recently witnessed a simmering language row and several reported incidents of individuals being assaulted for not speaking Marathi.
The remarks were met with swift and sharp condemnation from opposition parties. AIMIM leader and MP Waris Pathan slammed the minister, holding the state’s leadership accountable for the divisive rhetoric. “In Maharashtra, some BJP leaders are spreading hatred in the name of religion and language, creating unrest. It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to stop such individuals,” Pathan stated.
Congress leader Amin Patel refuted Rane’s claims about the curriculum in madrasas and questioned the minister’s own contributions to promoting the language. “Has Nitesh Rane started offering any Marathi classes himself? Madrasas already teach English and Hindi… in some places, they also teach Marathi,” Patel said. He further clarified that religion and language are distinct, noting, “The Azaan is given in Arabic.”
