MUMBAI, April 5 -- Fisheries Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane on Friday announced plans to rename the Muslim-dominated suburb of Mumbra in Thane district as 'Mumbradevi,' invoking the revered Hindu goddess considered the presiding deity of the Mumbra-Thane region and worshipped by local Koli and Agri communities. Addressing a Sakal Hindu Samaj-organised event marking the death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mumbra, Rane said the renaming move would follow earlier changes such as Islampur being renamed Ishwarpur in Sangli district. He also made several inflammatory remarks. "Nobody can stop us from doing it. We will not sit quietly till we hoist the saffron flag on every home in Mumbra," he said. He also linked the move to a broader political agenda, stating that the anti-conversion law passed by the state legislature last month was "the first step," and indicated that the next stage would involve action against madrasas in the state. Rane alleged that madrasas were "breeding centres for terrorists and jihadis" and called for their closure. The proposed renaming by the ruling Mahayuti alliance is being viewed in political circles as an attempt to reinforce a 'bhagwa' (saffron) identity in the town. Reacting to the announcement by Nitesh Rane, Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi said he challenges the BJP leader to substantiate his claims that madrasas promote anti-national sentiments among children. 'The BJP leader is not speaking about the alleged hatred between Hindus and Muslims taught in Shishu Mandirs run by the RSS, but is instead spreading falsehoods about madrasas. I challenge him to install CCTV cameras in madrasas or appoint his representatives there and prove if any institution is teaching anti-national values. Islam does not preach hatred; it promotes brotherhood and care for neighbours. He is targeting Muslims for political gain and to create a false narrative about the community,' Azmi said. Meanwhile, a separate controversy erupted after Muni likened Rane to Shivaji Maharaj, even suggesting he could become the next chief minister. The comparison drew criticism from Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who objected to equating Rane with the Maratha ruler....