Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 31: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray lashed out at attempts to stoke communal unrest over Aurangzeb’s tomb, stressing that the Mughal ruler failed in his bid to erase Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.
Addressing his annual Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park, Thackeray emphasized that history must be understood beyond caste and religion. He warned against relying on WhatsApp forwards for historical knowledge and urged people to explore history through authentic sources.
Thackeray pointed out that despite ruling a vast empire, Aurangzeb remained in Maharashtra, attempting to erase Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy a mission he ultimately failed to accomplish. He further stated that Mughal rulers sought to crush the Marathas but were eventually defeated.
His remarks came amid calls from right-wing outfits to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which had sparked violence in Nagpur earlier this month.
“History should not be distorted for political gain,” Thackeray said, referencing the burial of Bijapur general Afzal Khan near Pratapgadh Fort, which, he noted, could not have happened without Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s permission.
Taking a swipe at those reacting to history through films, he questioned, “Did you learn about Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice only because of Vicky Kaushal and about Aurangzeb because of Akshaye Khanna?” in an apparent reference to the recently released period drama ‘Chhaava’.
He stressed that true socio-political awareness is needed and cautioned against falling for provocations.
Thackeray also highlighted pressing concerns, including river pollution in Maharashtra. He stated that of the 311 most polluted river stretches in India, 55 are in Maharashtra, with Mumbai’s once-thriving rivers now almost extinct.
Criticizing religious practices harming the environment, he condemned the pollution of rivers in the name of faith and questioned the effectiveness of the Rs 33,000 cr spent on cleaning the Ganga.
On governance, Thackeray took a jibe at the BJP-led Maharashtra government, predicting that the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme would be scrapped, accusing the ruling alliance of betraying public trust.
Reiterating his stance on the Marathi language, he warned that those living in Maharashtra must respect and adopt the language for official communication.
“Religion should be confined to homes, not dictate a nation’s progress,” he remarked, citing Turkey’s model of reform. He added that Hindus unite only during conflicts but remain divided by caste otherwise.
With his hard-hitting address, Thackeray sought to steer focus back to real issues while calling for a more informed and united Maharashtra.