Non-Hindus must not be allowed to set up shops at Nashik Kumbh Mela: Maha minister Nitesh Rane
Nashik: Stoking another controversy, Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitesh Rane on Thursday demanded that non-Hindus should not be allowed to set up shops at the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik.
Speaking to reporters, Rane, who is also the state fisheries minister, said the Kumbh Mela is a "festival of faith" and asserted that those who do not follow Hindu beliefs should not profit from the mela. He added that the seers and the general public should be cautious and avoid entertaining such people during the fair.
"For those who consider us 'Kaafir,' why should we buy puja items from them? Only Hindu shops should be set up. This is our sentiment, and it reflects the sentiment of every Hindu community. There’s nothing wrong with that. During Eid and other such festivals, no one buys from Hindus because they consider us 'Kaafir [unbelievers]'..." the BJP leader remarked.
Rane, known for his anti-Muslim statements, also urged Hindus to be vigilant and prevent outsiders from setting up shops or businesses using "Hindu-sounding names."
The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha, a Hindu religious congregation held every 12 years, will next be celebrated in October 2026. It is one of the four Kumbh Melas held across India.
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'Someone must be held accountable': HC converts civil suit on Goa nightclub tragedy into PIL
Panaji (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) saying "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy in which 25 people were killed.In a stern observation, Goa bench of the High Court of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan said the local panchayat had "failed to take suo motu cognisance" of the club and had taken "no action despite complaints."
The division bench directed the Goa government to file a detailed reply on the permissions granted to the nightclub.
The High Court, while fixing January 8 as the next date of hearing, pointed out that commercial operations were continuing in the structure despite it having been served a demolition order.
The original petition was filed after the December 6 tragedy by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, the owners of the land on which the nightclub was operating.
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Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, the lawyer representing the petitioner, was made amicus curiae in the matter and has been asked to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.
In their petition, Amonkar and Divkar highlighted "the alarming pattern of statutory violations that have remained inadequately addressed despite multiple complaints, inspections, show-cause notices, and even a demolition order".
They contended that these violations posed "immediate threats to public safety, ecological integrity, and the rule of law in the state of Goa."
Investigations by multiple agencies into the nightclub fire have revealed various irregularities, including lack of permissions to operate the nightclub.
The Goa police arrested five managers and staff members of the club, while co-owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra have been detained in Thailand after they fled the country.
