NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Wednesday distanced itself from the ongoing controversy over the demands to raze the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, located in Khultabad in Maharashtra.
During a press conference at the RSS headquarters, Sunil Ambekar condemned the violence in Maharashtra’s Nagpur and said that any type of violence is detrimental to the health of society.
“Any type of violence is not good for the health of society. I think the police have taken cognizance of the incident and will look into the details,” Ambekar said.
When asked about the relevance of the longest-reigning Mughal emperor, Ambekar dismissed the question, saying, “I think Aurangzeb is not relevant today.”
This comes days after violent clashes broke out between two groups over demands to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad. City Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal imposed a curfew in multiple areas under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) after two bulldozers and 40 vehicles, including police vans, were torched.
According to news agency PTI, the situation escalated in several areas of the city amid rumors that a holy book of the Muslim community was burned during an agitation by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal at Shivaji Putla Square at Mahal Gate. Effigies of Aurangzeb and a religious chadar were also allegedly burned during the protest.
This led to retaliation from another community, with around 1,000 people engaging in large-scale stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson, injuring several police personnel and damaging multiple vehicles and homes.
More than 650 rioters were booked in a single FIR at Ganeshpeth police station, with 57 sections under the BNS. Police have also named 51 activists of a minority democratic party in the offense, a police source said.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also warned that his government would take action if any attempt was made to glorify Aurangzeb in the state.
Earlier on Tuesday, Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio and hails from Nagpur, told the assembly, “There were protests in the morning, and then there was peace. But in the evening, there was a pre-planned attack in which select homes and establishments were targeted. A trolley of stones was found, and weapons were also recovered.”
He spoke about the film Chhaava, which portrays the conflict between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb. “I’m not blaming any film, but it has fanned sentiments among people, and their anger against Aurangzeb is coming out. I appeal to all to maintain calm and respect religious spaces.”