Mumbai: Amid the clamour for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s grave, Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday attacked the BJP, saying that it nowadays considers the Mughal emperor more important than Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's rule was based on religion, and it was about taking everyone along. This idea was not acceptable to the BJP earlier and is not acceptable even now. Actually, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj were never symbols of the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or the BJP. Now they are saying 'Jai Shivaji' and 'Jai Sambhaji' as per convenience. Therefore, Aurangzeb is BJP’s new Shivaji," said Shiv Sena (UBT) in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' editorial.
“No one will glorify Aurangzeb in Maharashtra. Here only Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be hailed. Therefore, after the release of the film 'Chhavaa', organisations like RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and neo-Hindutva elements of BJP showed political fury against Aurangzeb's grave and spoilt the atmosphere of Maharashtra. Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal threatened to protest demanding complete destruction of Aurangzeb's grave. They announced the plan to start Kar Seva to remove the tomb. They are comparing Aurangzeb's grave with Ayodhya's Babri Masjid. These people are saying that like Babri, Aurangzeb's grave will also be destroyed," the editorial reads.
Saamana's editorial criticises the ongoing drama surrounding Aurangzeb's grave, calling it unnecessary. The grave is already protected by central security forces and falls under the Archaeological Survey of India. The editorial argues that instead of resorting to dramatic measures, the Centre should remove the security and withdraw the protected monument status. This, they believe, would free up the land and reduce the likelihood of conflict, making Kar Seva unnecessary.
The editorial sarcastically suggests that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other prominent BJP and RSS leaders should personally demolish Aurangzeb's grave, using spades, under government orders. This, the editorial claims, would put an end to the riots in Maharashtra and appease fanatical elements.
The editorial criticises Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis for failing to take concrete action, instead only delivering speeches. It highlights the recent riots in Nagpur over Aurangzeb's grave, which resulted in attacks on police and arson.
The article questions Fadnavis' claim that the rioters were outsiders, asking what the police were doing before the violence erupted. It also expresses scepticism about the Home Ministry's intelligence, wondering if their informers were asleep on the job.
The article further intensifies its attack on the BJP, suggesting that the party's strategy is to eliminate the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj by targeting Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's grave. The editorial implies that the BJP's focus on Aurangzeb is a diversionary tactic to undermine the historical significance of Shivaji and Sambhaji.
The editorial strongly criticises the BJP, particularly MP Pradeep Purohit, for comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, implying that Modi is the reincarnation of Shivaji. The article argues that this comparison is an attempt to undermine the original Shivaji's legacy and create a new narrative.
The editorial questions whether Shivaji's descendants, Udayanraje Bhosale and Shivendraraje Bhosale, approve of Modi's glorification as Shivaji. It highlights the contrast between Shivaji's unifying legacy and the current divisions and religious tensions in Maharashtra.
The article cites instances of Quran burnings and mosque vandalism, which it attributes to the BJP's attempts to create a new Shivaji narrative. It concludes by apologising to Shivaji's legacy.
(inputs from IANS)