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Watch | Nitesh Rane's Hate Speech: Does the BJP Leader Have Immunity From the Law?

What does the continued delivery of speeches like these mean for the pre-election atmosphere in Maharashtra?
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Ahmednagar police have filed two first information reports against Maharashtra BJP MLA Nitesh Rane’s speech in which he claimed to be the ‘Gabbar’ of Hindus and used derogatory language against the Muslim community.

Rane threatened Muslims in a public speech in which he said, “If you dare harm our Ramgiri Maharaj, we will enter your mosques and will hunt you down.”

This raises the question: does Nitesh Rane have immunity from the law? Are such statements being made deliberately in light of the upcoming elections in Maharashtra? Questions also arise about the role of state home minister Devendra Fadnavis – will he continue to shield his party’s legislators?

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