Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 18: Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday took a swipe at the BJP over the demand to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave, questioning the ruling party’s stance on the issue.

"If BJP leaders are calling for Aurangzeb’s grave to be removed, are they serious or just staging protests? Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already stated that the grave is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). If the central government is safeguarding Aurangzeb’s grave, we must ask BJP—what is your relationship with Aurangzeb?" Thackeray remarked.

Accusing the BJP of political opportunism, he criticized the party for ignoring insults directed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by figures like Rahul Solapurkar, Prashant Koratkar, and former Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. "No action was taken against them, yet riots are being instigated over Aurangzeb," he alleged.

Thackeray also condemned BJP MP Pradeep Purohit’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in a past life. "BJP leaders compare Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to anyone they please. If just one person who insults him were punished publicly, such comparisons would stop," he asserted.

Highlighting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, Thackeray noted that Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan’s defeat underscored his strength. He challenged BJP to urge Prime Minister Modi to demolish Aurangzeb’s grave if they were serious, sarcastically suggesting that leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar be invited as chief guests to such an event.

On the recent Nagpur violence, Thackeray recalled Maharashtra’s resistance against Aurangzeb. "Aurangzeb, born in Gujarat, could never conquer Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy was upheld by his successors and the countless Mavlas who fought for Swarajya. No true follower of Shivaji Maharaj will ever support Aurangzeb," he declared.