Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Monday alleged that the INDIA Bloc wanted to introduce Sharia law in the country and accused its leaders of opposing the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Speaking to reporters, Rane said democracy and the constitutional framework must be protected, alleging that the opposition alliance wanted to dismantle the existing democratic system.

“Democracy must be protected, shouldn’t it? The people of the INDIA Bloc want to introduce Sharia law in our country. The INDIA alliance is opposed to Babasaheb Ambedkar and his Constitution, isn’t it? That is why they do not want the Election Commission or the Supreme Court. They want to dismantle the entire constitutional framework and democratic system so that they can introduce Sharia law in the country. This is what the INDIA Bloc leaders are doing,” he said.

“This is a fight between Sharia and the Constitution, and we are fighting to protect the latter. We stand with the Constitution. That is why, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, we are organising rallies,” he said.

Rane also criticised the INDIA Bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, claiming that it failed to attract a significant crowd.

“The fact that people did not turn up was clearly visible. There are several videos showing empty chairs, with hardly anyone visible even in the distance. If the hero of a film itself is a flop, the film is bound to flop too. That is why the show they tried to put on at Ramlila Maidan has completely flopped,” he said.

Reacting to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Shiv Tandav and Shiv Bharat during the rally, Rane said anyone could participate in such celebrations, reflecting the inclusive nature of Sanatan Hindu Dharma.

However, he questioned whether Hindus were equally welcome to participate in Eid and Muharram celebrations and said Gandhi should have asked the Muslim League leaders and clerics present on the stage about it.

Rane also reacted to Bollywood actress Dia Mirza’s social media post advising people to celebrate Diwali in an environment-friendly manner.

“The kind of tweet Dia Mirza has posted about Diwali, and the kind of advice she is giving, is something we never see her doing during Eid, Muharram or Bakrid. Whenever Holi or Diwali comes around, people are advised to celebrate in an environment-friendly manner. Try asking people to observe an environment-friendly Ramadan or celebrate an environment-friendly Bakrid. Then we will believe that they are giving the right advice to everyone equally,” he said.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Ritu Tawde on Monday criticised Bollywood actress Dia Mirza over her pollution-free Diwali video, alleging that her opposition was consistently directed towards Hindutva and those working for it.

Tawde said Hindus did not need anyone to teach them how to celebrate Diwali and accused the actress of pursuing a selective agenda.

Speaking to reporters, the BMC Mayor said, “If we look at Dia Mirza’s entire profile, we can see that she has opposed the Narmada project and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). She has also spoken against environmental issues that we were working on and opposed statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have consistently seen her opposition directed against Hindutva and those who work for it. Secondly, we do not need Dia Mirza to teach us how Hindus should celebrate Diwali.”

“We know how to celebrate our Diwali. She is pursuing her own agenda, a selective agenda, and her overall stance is becoming very clear. It shows that she is against Hindutva. That is why we have strongly opposed her video. We do not need her to teach us how we, as Hindus, should celebrate Diwali,” she said.

Tawde further questioned the civic administration for not sharing the complete list of celebrities selected for the pollution-free Diwali awareness campaign with her in her capacity as Mayor.

“It is true that the Honourable High Court had issued directions that prominent artists and celebrities should help promote the message that the upcoming Diwali should be celebrated without firecrackers, as the AQI is also rising. However, when selecting the artists for this campaign, the complete list of those selected should have been shared with me in my capacity as Mayor. The administration did not consider it necessary to provide me with that list,” she said.

She further said that the administration needed to move beyond the mindset that an administrative rule was still in place, as elected corporators and the Mayor had now taken charge.

“You must keep the Mayor informed about every decision, bring it to her notice, seek her approval, and only then proceed with its implementation,” Tawde said.

Meanwhile, the BMC has deleted a video featuring Dia Mirza from its pollution-free Diwali campaign after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusion, triggering a political controversy over the civic body’s awareness drive.

In her statement, the ‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’ actress emphasised the significance of Diwali as a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and highlighted the need for healthier and more mindful celebrations.

“Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The video was recorded in the interest of public awareness, with the intention of encouraging a healthier and more mindful celebration. Air pollution is a matter of public health, and every effort towards reducing it is a step towards a better environment for all,” Dia said.

The ED attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs 53.95 crore in a bank fraud by a private company that resulted in a loss of over Rs 2,200 crore to a consortium of banks led by Indian Overseas Bank and 16 other banks, an official said on Monday.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zone-I, provisionally attached the assets of Parekh Aluminex Limited (PAL) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. (MLA), 2002.

Till date, the ED has attached total assets of Rs 546 crore in this case, the statement said.

The ED investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by CBI, EOW Mumbai and EOB Mumbai against Parekh Aluminex Limited, and others for offences under Sections 420 and 120-BIPC, 1860 and Sections 13(1)d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Investigation has revealed that PAL fraudulently obtained loan from a consortium of banks by submitting inflated stock and debtor statements and later loan accounts of PAL were declared NPA for an amount of Rs 2,296 crore, the ED said.

The ED’s Investigation revealed that JK Shah Group assisted in the diversion of the Proceeds of Crime amounting to Rs 110.54 crore through various entities and persons.

One of the beneficiaries of the Proceeds of Crime received and enjoyed Rs 70.25 crore, forming part of the total Proceeds of Crime of Rs 2,296.58 crore, the ED said.

The ED had already attached assets worth Rs 493 crore in this case. A prosecution complaint (charge sheet) has also been filed before the Special Court (PMLA), Mumbai, which has taken cognisance of the offence, said the statement.

The conspirators inflicted a wrongful loss on a consortium of banks led by Indian Overseas Bank and 16 other banks, and the ED is examining the incriminating documents recovered during search operations to identify other players in the bank fraud, said the statement.