Mira Road Violence: BJP MLA threatened Muslims in police-facilitated press briefing

The Maharashtra police facilitating a press conference for BJP MLA Nitesh Rane inside the police commissioner's conference room, where he made inflammatory statements and openly threatened the Muslim community in front of journalists with pro-Hindutva credentials, raised concerns over the independence of the police.

In the aftermath of the violent clashes between Hindu and Muslim youth in Mira Road's Nayanagar area on January 21, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane's visit to the region has raised serious concerns about the relationship between politicians and law enforcement, according to a report published in The Wire.

The use of the police commissioner's conference room for the press briefing has led to questions about the autonomy of the police force, suggesting potential interference in media coverage. Journalist Sabeer Shaikh, who questioned the police's decision in a video on his channel, was reportedly pressured to take it down following a call from a "senior officer."

Rane's controversial press conference, held inside the commissioner's office, has further fuelled concerns about the independence of the police force. The MLA, accompanied by local MLA Geeta Jain and other BJP members, used offensive language and openly threatened the Muslim community.

Rane's use of offensive language, provocative statements, and encouragement for the Hindu community to "unite and retaliate" in the presence of police officials has contributed to the escalation of tensions in the region."

The Wire reported that Rane's speech, filled with derogatory remarks against the Muslim community, was disseminated through YouTube channels, including 'On Record Mira Bhayandar' and 'Dabang Khabre,' contributing to the viral spread of the divisive rhetoric.

The aftermath of Rane's press conference witnessed a disturbing surge in violence, as saffron-clad individuals, chanting 'Jai Shri Ram,' vandalized shops owned by Muslims. This has heightened suspicions regarding Rane's potential role in instigating violence against the Muslim community, given his history of making provocative speeches.

Rane baselessly claimed that Hindu women were "unsafe" in the city, alleging that Mira Road had become a "mini-Pakistan."

The Wire's detailed report on the violence, occurring over three weeks ago, shed light on the police's alleged complicity in the attacks. The investigation revealed a troubling pattern where arrests were predominantly made in cases involving Muslim men as accused, while incidents of violence against Muslim youth saw no arrests.

Advocate Shahood Anwar, representing the arrested Muslim youth, emphasized the biased nature of the investigation, pointing out instances where the police only filed non-cognizable crimes instead of registering FIRs.