Maharashtra BJP minister Nitesh Rane questioned actor Aamir Khan's third marriage and linked the union to "love jihad" during a recent press interaction.
The comments highlight the intersection of celebrity personal lives and communal political narratives in India, where marriage choices are sometimes framed as religious or political statements.
Khan married for the third time on July 5, 2026 [1] in Mumbai, Maharashtra [1]. The actor was previously married to Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao [1].
Speaking on Sunday, July 7, 2026, Rane said that the marriage could be an example of a broader communal agenda [1], [2]. He specifically targeted the actor's influence and the support he receives from the public.
"Such marriages are a part of love jihad," Rane said [2].
The minister further urged members of the Hindu community to be cautious regarding their support of the actor's work. He suggested that the public should evaluate their relationship with the celebrity based on these claims.
"Think before watching his films," Rane said [3].
This public criticism follows a pattern of political figures in Maharashtra using press interactions to challenge the personal lives of high-profile entertainment figures. Rane's remarks link a private domestic event to a controversial narrative often used in regional political discourse to describe interfaith relationships.
“"Such marriages are a part of love jihad"”
The use of the 'love jihad' narrative by a sitting minister to describe a celebrity's marriage reflects the ongoing trend of politicizing interfaith unions in India. By calling for a boycott of the actor's films, the minister is attempting to leverage cultural consumption as a tool for communal signaling, potentially increasing pressure on the film industry to align with specific political ideologies.
