Mumbai, February 10 Maharashtra BJP minister Nitesh Rane on Tuesday criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, claiming that actor Salman Khan was "more Hindu" than him, amid a controversy over the superstar's presence at an RSS event in Mumbai. Khan was among a group of Bollywood celebrities who attended the event, where Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a speech. The event at the Nehru Centre over the weekend was organized as part of the RSS' centenary celebrations. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, a close aide of Thackeray, had criticized the popular actor for attending the RSS event. Responding to a journalist's question on Tuesday, BJP minister Rane praised Khan and criticized Thackeray. "Salman Khan is more Hindu than Uddhav Thackeray. It needs to be checked whether Uddhav Thackeray is actually Hindu or not. At least Salman Khan had the courage to attend the RSS chief's program. Will Uddhav Thackeray ever show the courage to stand before (Congress MP) Rahul Gandhi or even refer to his own father Balasaheb Thackeray as 'Hinduhhriday Samrat'?" he asked. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress are constituents of the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state. The RSS event saw the participation of several artists, sportspersons and eminent personalities. Khan's presence at the event drew criticism from some quarters, while others praised him, triggering a political debate.
