Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj is a self-proclaimed religious leader from northern Maharashtra who delivers sermons and kirtans (Hindu devotional songs), and spreads teachings of the state’s saints. He is known for passing derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad and for having close ties with right-wing politicians and Hindutva leaders. 

During a religious event in Nashik, Maharashtra in August 2024, Ramgiri made objectionable remarks about Prophet Muhammad and his wife, resulting in communal tension and riots. 76 police complaints were registered against him in different police stations but no action was taken against him. The complaints include inciting another class of community, spreading rumors or making false accusations in the name of religion or caste, promoting violence against any religion, deliberately inciting any religious sentiments, inciting murder, making false statements, deliberately disturbing peace and making statements about any person. Ramgiri later said his remarks were in response to the alleged atrocities being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh and that his objective was to unite members of the Hindu community. 

In January 2025, Ramgiri said that “Vande Mataram,” a controversial song due to its religious connotations, should be India’s national anthem and not “Jana Gana Mana.” He claimed that Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote the Indian national anthem, had sung it to welcome George V in 1911 and not to address the country, therefore committing an injustice.

“We will have to launch a struggle for this (making Vande Mataram national anthem). Vande Mataram should be our national anthem,” Ramgiri said. When questioned about his controversial statement, he said, “If speaking the truth is being termed as disrespect, it is unfortunate.”

Ramgiri has been openly supported by Eknath Shinde, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and member of the Shiv Sena, a Hindutva political party, as well as Nitesh Rane, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member. In August 2024, Shinde shared a stage with Ramgiri during an event and said that in Maharashtra, nobody can even “touch the hair” of any saint, adding “Saints like Ramgiri Maharaj carry out the work of giving direction to people.” In September 2024, Rane said there would be repercussions if Ramgiri was harmed and threatened “We will enter your mosques and hit you one by one. Keep this in mind.” Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat also met with Ramgiri in June 2024.