Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has ignited fresh controversy by demanding that the Islamic call to prayer, or azaan, be delivered in Marathi and that madrasas replace Urdu with Marathi to impart what he called “real education.”
Reacting to reports of the Congress starting Marathi pathshalas (schools) in some parts of Mumbai, Rane questioned the need for such initiatives and instead targeted the Muslim community.
"Why does Congress need to run Marathi schools? The opposition should ask Muslims to give the Azaan in Marathi. Outside our temples, there are 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans, but inside the shops, it's Abdul sitting there," India Today quoted Rane as saying.
The Fisheries and Ports Development minister further suggested that clerics be instructed to teach Marathi in madrasas. "There’s no need for separate Marathi schools. Instead of Urdu, teach Marathi in madrasas so we feel that real education happens there. Otherwise, all one gets from there is a gun," the senior BJP leader added.
Rane's comments come at a time when tensions over language are high in Maharashtra, with multiple incidents recently reported of individuals being attacked for not speaking Marathi. The remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who accused Rane of stoking communal and linguistic divisions.
"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," AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said.
Congress MLA Amin Patel also hit back, saying Rane was misinformed. "Has Nitesh Rane started offering any Marathi classes himself? Madrasas already teach English and Hindi... in some places, they also teach Marathi. Language and religion are two different paths. The Azaan is given in Arabic," Patel said.
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Kozhikode: There are strong indications that Nimisha Priya’s death sentence in Yemen may be revoked following significant progress in recent mediation talks. According to mediators, the family of the deceased Yemeni national Talal, who was killed, has agreed in principle to pardon Nimisha.
A press release from the office of Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar stated that some crucial decisions have been taken in the case. The developments follow high-level negotiations involving a delegation of Yemeni scholars appointed by Habib Umar bin Hafiz, a prominent scholar from Tarim, along with officials from northern Yemen and international diplomatic representatives.
Further discussions with Talal’s family are expected to finalise the terms, especially concerning compensation and legal formalities.
It may be recalled that Nimisha was scheduled to be executed on July 16. However, following the intervention of Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, the execution was temporarily postponed on July 15.