As the BJP-led Maharashtra government fights the fires over Aurangzeb, with its leaders seeking the razing of his tomb, the RSS has said that the Mughal Emperor is not relevant any more.
However, the Sangh has condemned the violence over demands for removal of the tomb, which erupted two days ago in Nagpur, not far from the RSS headquarters.
The statement was made by RSS national publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar in Bengaluru, addressing a press conference on the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha Baithak of the RSS to be held between March 21 and 23 in the town.
To a question on whether Aurangzeb, who died 300 years ago, was relevant today and if his tomb should be removed, Ambekar said: “I think (he is) not relevant.”
On the Nagpur violence, he added: “I think any type of violence is not good for society. The police have taken cognisance of it and will go into the details.”
Clashes had broken out in Nagpur on Monday evening after rumours spread that a holy book had been desecrated during a demonstration by the VHP and Bajrang Dal seeking the razing of Aurangzeb’s tomb, located in Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad) district.
On Tuesday, speaking in the Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, suggested that the violence was pre-planned. “We found a trolley full of stones as well as weapons, which have been seized. Selected houses and establishments were targeted (in the violence).”
This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.
