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BJP leader Nitesh Rane condemned the incident after a video showed Namaz being offered inside the Malegaon Municipal Corporation electricity department.
Maharashtra Ports Development Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane.
Maharashtra Ports Development Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane on Wednesday demanded strict action after a video showing Namaz being offered inside the Malegaon Municipal Corporation electricity department went viral on social media.
Speaking to reporters, Rane strongly remarked, “This is a Hindu rashtra. No one is allowed to practice religion, preach, or carry out jihad in this way in our country…Have these people been elected for the development of Malegaon or to do jihad? Why should dissolving such bodies not be demanded?”
#WATCH | On Namaz offered inside office of Malegaon Municipal Corporation electricity department, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane says, “This is a Hindu rashtra. No one is allowed to do this here…Have these people been elected for the development of Malegaon or to do jihad?… pic.twitter.com/HFhWYA6JC0— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2026
“All of this is just theatrics, they should go to an Islamic country if they want to do this… Why should they offer namaz there when there are so many mosques? We will certainly call for action,” he added.
Rane also criticised madrasas in the state, calling them “breeding grounds for terrorists” and said he would urge Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to shut them down. He cited a separate viral video from Sawantwadi, his home district, showing a clergy member allegedly beating a student.
“You have seen the maulavi’s video of beating children. It is from Sawantwadi, my home district, and I am also the district guardian minister. You will also come to know about what strict action he is going to face soon,” he said.
The minister questioned the need for Islamic schools, arguing, “Why do you even need madrasas? That is the basic point. These madrasas are epicentres of terrorism. They shape terrorists there.”
“If you want to teach the Quran, you have mosques for it. Sometimes weapons are found in these madrasas, and sometimes incidents like the beating up of children,” he alleged.
Rane further questioned if any Islamic country would allow schools for Hindus where only the Bhagavad Gita is taught.
“I will speak with the CM and tell him to close down all the madrasas, as these are breeding grounds for terrorists,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
Maharashtra, India, India
February 25, 2026, 23:12 IST
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