'Even US didn't allow Osama's burial...': Shinde questions Aurangzeb's glorification
What's the story
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has strongly opposed the glorification of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
While addressing the legislative council about the recent violence in Nagpur, Shinde said even the US refused to allow Osama bin Laden to be buried on its soil and instead disposed of his remains in the sea to avoid glorification.
"Who is Aurangzeb? Why should we allow his glorification in our state? He is a blot on our history," he said in his closing remarks.
Controversial comparison
Shinde draws parallels with Osama bin Laden's burial
The statement came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab, who alleged Shinde had switched sides from Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to Mahayuti out of fear of central agencies.
Shinde went on to say that the Mughal emperor gave Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje an option to convert to Islam.
When the latter refused, he was brutally tortured and killed, he said.
Governance debate
Shinde questions comparisons with CM's governance
Shinde also hit out at state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal for comparing CM Devendra Fadnavis's rule to that of Aurangzeb.
"Did Fadnavis ever torture anyone the way Aurangzeb did to his enemies?" he asked.
"I want to ask Congress leaders, did Mr Fadnavis remove anyone's tongue and eyes like Aurangzeb? So, this comparison has been done. Ours is the best government for common people therefore Congress should restrain from making any wild comparison," Shinde said.
Violence
Violent clash over Aurangzeb's tomb
Violent clashes had erupted in Nagpur on Monday following a protest by two Hindu organisations seeking the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb.
This fueled rumors that some religious symbols had been desecrated. CM Devendra Fadnavis said this led to unrest and violence that looked like "a well-planned attack."
Fadnavis said after evening prayers, a crowd of Muslim men gathered and started shouting slogans. "When people started saying they would set vehicles on fire, police used force," he added.