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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Minister Patil inaugurates Amazon’s Corporate Office in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil on Monday inaugurated Amazon’s newly constructed, fully equipped 11 lakh sq ft corporate office near Yelahanka here.
Built on a five-acre site approximately 15 kilometres from Kempegowda International Airport, Amazon said this is its second largest office in Asia.
The 12-storey campus will support over 7,000 employees across ecommerce, operations, payments, technology, and seller services in India, Amazon said in a statement.
Patil said this is Amazon’s 10th corporate office in the state. The company, which has shared a two-decade association with Karnataka, plans to invest USD 35 billion in India over the next four years.
"This investment is expected to support 15 million small businesses and generate lakhs of employment opportunities. Karnataka will receive a significant share of this investment," the minister said after inaugurating the new office.
The minister pointed out that Karnataka has an annual per capita income of over Rs 3.80 lakh, ranking highest in the country.
According to him, the state also stands second in annual GST contributions to the national exchequer, contributing Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Bengaluru has climbed to the 21st position globally in the Global Innovation Index and is the only Indian city to feature among the top 30 in the Tech-Cities Index.
Last year, the city recorded 14.6 million square feet of industrial leasing, the highest in the country, he said.
Of the 900 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, nearly 35 per cent are located in Karnataka, he added.
In a statement issued by the minister's office, Patil said the state also leads in infrastructure required for e-commerce operations, with warehousing capacity of 42.48 lakh tonne and 233 cold storage units. Correspondingly, e-commerce transactions in the state are growing at 11 per cent annually.
To further promote industrial growth, projects such as dedicated freight rail corridors, multimodal logistics parks, dry ports and truck terminals have been planned. Patil urged Amazon and other global companies to leverage Karnataka’s industry-friendly ecosystem by enhancing their investments in the state, manufacturing here and exporting to global markets.
According to Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India, "India continues to be a long-term priority for Amazon, and Bengaluru has played a central role in our journey here. Over the years, the city has been home to some of our earliest technology and business teams, and today it remains a key hub for innovation and talent."
