Kerala CM Calls Nitesh Rane’s Mini Pakistan Comment Sangh Parivar’s Propaganda

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned Nitesh Rane’s derogatory comment on Kerala. Calling it as the Sangh Parivar’s propaganda, Vijayan on X said: “The derogatory remark by Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, labelling Kerala as ‘mini-Pakistan’, is deeply malicious & utterly condemnable. Such rhetoric reflects the hate campaigns orchestrated by the Sangh Parivar against Kerala, a bastion of secularism & communal harmony. We strongly denounce this vile attack on Kerala, & call upon all democratic & secular forces to unite against Sangh Parivar’s hateful propaganda.”

On December 30, Rane spared a row after he referred to Kerala as "mini-Pakistan". The MLA's statement was met with backlash from the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi. While speaking at a rally in Pune, the minister was quoted by news agency ANI as saying - "Kerala is mini Pakistan that is why Rahul Gandhi and his sister are elected from there. All terrorists vote for them. This is the truth, you can ask. They have become MPs after taking terrorists with them."

Rane, in response to his comment clarified that his earlier statement was a comparison of the situation Hindus are treated in Pakistan and Kerala. "Kerala is very much a part of our country. The decreasing population of Hindus is something that everyone should worry about. Religious conversion of Hindus into Christians and Muslims is becoming an everyday thing there. Love Jihad cases are also increasing there. I was comparing the situation with the way Hindus are treated in Pakistan,” Rane said in a to news agency ANI in a video. He further said that if a similar situation arises in Kerala, then there is a need for more thinking. “We want our Hindu Rashtra to remain a Hindu Rashtra, and Hindus should be protected in every way...I was just stating the facts so that everyone knows what the situation is. Whatever I said is based on facts...Let the Opposition, Congress prove me wrong,” Rane said.

His statement in Pune was met with widespread backlash, especially from the state opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey told news agency PTI - "The BJP leaders are worried since PM Modi won only by a lakh votes, they are not able to digest Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's win."

"It is a very unfortunate statement by Nitesh Rane. Kerala is part of India, our people live there. If they feel that it is becoming like Pakistan, the Governor is made by themselves only, then why is the Governor not able to give information? The Home Minister is Amit Shah, all the agencies are under them. This is bad politics," Dubey added further.