Glorifying invaders act of treason: Yogi Adiyanath’s broadside amid Aurangzeb row
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday launched a sharp attack on those glorifying historical invaders, calling it an act of treason that ‘new India’ will not tolerate.The firebrand BJP leader’s remarks came amid rising demands for theremoval of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s tombin Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Without naming Aurangzeb directly, the Chief Minister warned against celebrating figures who “attacked our civilisation, violated our women, and struck at our faith”.
“Glorifying invaders means strengthening the very roots of treason. New India will never accept those who insult our great ancestors and praise those who attacked our civilisation, violated our women, and struck at our faith,” Adityanath said while addressing a public gathering in Bahraich.
“When the entire world is acknowledging India’s rich heritage, it is the duty of every citizen to uphold respect for our great leaders, and not eulogise those who sought to erase our identity,” he added.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) recentlyheld demonstrations at government offices in Maharashtra, demanding the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhajinagar district. In a memorandum to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the VHP accused Aurangzeb of historical atrocities, including the execution of Guru Gobind Singh’s two sons and the destruction of temples in Kashi, Mathura, and Somnath.
In view of the ongoing unrest over the issues, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), earlier in the day, installed tin sheets on two sides of the 18th century structure. Tin sheets and wire fencing were put up on two sides of the structure on Wednesday night, a local official said.
The 17th-centuryMughal emperor has returned to public debatefollowing the box-office success of the Hindi film ‘Chhaava’, which chronicles the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj – the second Maratha ruler, tortured and executed on Aurangzeb’s orders.
Violence erupted in Nagpur on Monday after rumours spread that a’chadar’ inscribed with Quranic verses was burnt during protestsby the VHP and Bajrang Dal demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb, leaving several police personnel injured.
