Homes and stores were vandalised, cars were torched, and almost 40 were injured in violence that began Monday at 7.30 pm. While there was arson and vandalism in Maharashtra’s Nagpur – to protest Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave remaining within the state – former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday asked what was the point of a showdown on this issue, given that the controversial king had passed away more than 300 years ago.
“If you wish you can uproot his grave. But call C Naidu and Nitish Kumar.” he also joked. The mention of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister (Chandrababu Naidu) and his counterpart in Bihar – both being prime BJP allies – has been interpreted in the context of the Muslim population in both states and the significance of their votes to the TDP and JDU, especially in light of next year’s elections in the latter state.
Mr Thackeray also made a second attack on the BJP, noting Aurangzeb had actually been born in Gujarat; he was born in 1618 at Dahod in Gujarat and passed away near Bhingar of Maharashtra in 1707.
Uddhav Thackeray’s observation was echoed by his son Aaditya Thackeray, who blamed the BJP for fomenting this controversy in order to deflect attention from the state government’s failure. In a riposte of his own, Thackeray junior also blamed the BJP for attempting to “make a Manipur of Maharashtra”.
“Unfortunately, when the BJP is unable to rule. They turn to riots and violence. If you see Manipur. That is precisely what they wish to transform Maharashtra into. They are attempting to unearth the past of a person who existed more than 300 years ago, but they cannot talk about the future. the present.”
