The BJP has distanced itself from controversial MLA Nitesh Rane's recent remarks where he openly threatened the Muslim community. BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said, "I condemn the words used by Rane. Such words have no space in public life and should never be spoken by any politicians."

"Two FIRs have been filed (against Rane) and it's a matter of time before the law catches up," he added.

The police have filed two FIRs against Nitesh Rane. The BJP MLA recently spoke in defence of Hindu seer Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj, who himself has been charged for making alleged derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

Speaking at an event, Rane warned that there would be repercussions if the Hindu seer is harmed.

"If you dare harm our Ramgiri Maharaj, we will enter your masjid (mosque) and will hunt you down (chun chun ke marenge)," the BJP MLA said as the crowd cheered for him.

While criticising Rane, Tuhin Sinha accused the Congress of "obnoxious selectivity" when it comes to crimes against Hindu community.

"Two sitting Congress MLAs of Telangana, Rashed Khan and Feroz Khan, had issued a bounty of Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh each for the head of Wasim Rizvi when he had converted to Hinduism three years ago. Have they been removed? Maulana Tauqeer Raza made a statement to the effect that he will annihilate Hindus before the Uttarakhand assembly election. He was immediately lapped up by the Congress and the party went into an alliance with them.... So I think this selectivism needs to stop," Sinha said. 

Source: India Today