Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane on Monday, 25 May triggered a sharp political controversy in Mumbai after making a string of provocative statements targeting Eid al-Adha celebrations, the application of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to illegal cattle trade, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The remarks came as Rane defended the state government's recent decision to invoke stringent legal provisions against cow smuggling and related offences.

The Eid al-Adha Remarks

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Rane argued that the standard of environmental scrutiny applied to Hindu festivals should equally extend to Eid al-Adha. He pointed to routine appeals urging Hindus to celebrate a 'dry Holi' and avoid firecrackers during Diwali, questioning why no comparable suggestions were made for the upcoming festival.

'People who are environmentalists, and organisations like PETA, always tell people to celebrate environmentally friendly festivals, celebrate a dry Holi and do not burst crackers during Diwali. But playing with colours during Holi and bursting crackers during Diwali has its own special significance in our Hindu religion,' he said.

He added: 'So, if such rules and suggestions are made for Hindu society, then what is wrong in saying that the upcoming Eid al-Adha should also be celebrated in an environmentally friendly way, or even as a virtual Bakra Eid?' Rane also alleged that animal rights organisations and prominent public figures remain silent when blood flows through drains after Bakra Eid, singling out Bollywood actors who advocate veganism.

MCOCA Invoked Against Cattle Trade Violations

Rane confirmed that the Maharashtra government had recently issued a Government Resolution enabling the direct application of MCOCA in cases involving sacrifice-related violations or illegal activity linked to cow meat. 'If anyone is involved in sacrifice-related violations or cow meat-related illegal activity, there is now a provision to directly apply MCOCA,' he said.

He also targeted former AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan, alleging that cow meat is sold in several areas during Eid al-Adha, and challenged Pathan to visit locations where cow smuggling reportedly takes place. This comes amid a broader push by the Mahayuti alliance government to tighten enforcement around cattle protection laws in Maharashtra.

Attack on Rahul Gandhi

In arguably his most incendiary remarks of the day, Rane accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of acting in favour of Pakistan and alleged that Gandhi's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scripted to please Islamabad. 'Rahul Gandhi is a Pakistani agent. Rahul Gandhi speaks about Pakistan from his own mouth. Rahul Gandhi is the one who is ready to make Pakistan happy. Rahul Gandhi comes here and reads out the script that comes from there. So, to make the bosses in Pakistan happy, Rahul Gandhi comes here and speaks against Modi,' he said.

The Congress party had not issued an immediate formal response to the remarks at the time of reporting. Notably, such attacks on Gandhi by ruling-alliance leaders have intensified in recent weeks amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions.

Remarks on Madrasas and Hindutva Governance

Rane also made pointed remarks about mosques and madrasas, claiming the latter were under close government watch. He called for the teaching of 'Vande Mataram' in madrasas and reiterated his stance on what he described as 'land jihad' and 'love jihad'. The minister stated that the government, rooted in Hindutva ideology, would take strict action against those found targeting cow protection activists.

Critics argue that such statements risk deepening communal polarisation ahead of upcoming civic polls in Maharashtra. Opposition leaders are expected to demand a formal response from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on whether the remarks reflect the state government's official position.