Religion to enter the economic spheres of the country?

Maharashtra minister, Nitensh Rane on Friday 25th April, 2025 while addressing a gathering in Ratnagiri District’s Dapoli town urged Hindus to ask for the shopkeeper’s religion before making a purchase with them. 

Nitish Rane in the midst of expressing his concern after the Pahalgam attack passed a controversial statement which has high potential to drive divide and hatred in the country. 

“They asked our religion before killing us. So, Hindus must also ask about their religion before buying anything. If they are asking about your religion and killing you, then you should also ask about their religion before shopping or buying anything.”, said Minister Rane. He also asked the gathering to ask the shopkeepers to recite Hanuman Chalisa after they have claimed to be a hindu, if they fail to do so then hindu’s must refrain from making a purchase.

Why should we buy things from them and make them rich? You people will have to take a pledge that whenever you make any purchase, you should buy it only from a Hindu,” said Nitesh Rane. His advice to the hindu’s is highly provocative in nature and will bring about disorder in the economic spheres of the people of the country if put into practice.

Rane’s statement adds on amidst the already existing hate being passed onto the Indian Muslim community.