Mumbai, Mar 19 (UNI) Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday termed as "pure drama" the threats from Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal that they would launch a protest demanding complete destruction of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's grave.
An editorial in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana said because of the threats people have started gathering spades, shovels, crowbars, JCBs and bulldozers near the grave.
"However this is just plain drama. There is no need to do this drama to remove Aurangzeb's grave. Aurangzeb is under the grave and he will never get up and come out," said the editorial.
It said the Mughal emperor's grave is currently being protected by the central security forces. Since this grave is under the central agency Archaeological Survey of India, the Centre should immediately remove this security and withdraw the status of the protected monument given to the grave so that the land is freed , thereby ending the possibility of conflict.
The editorial said, "At the time of the Babri Masjid (demolition), there was a Congress government at the Centre. Chief Minister Kalyan Singh's BJP government was in Uttar Pradesh. That is why there was conflict.
"Today, there is Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and CM Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra. Both are from the BJP. Also, Fadnavis has the experience of Kar Seva in Ayodhya. Therefore, PM Modi, CM Fadnavis, Mohan Bhagwat, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar - these five people should dig Aurangzeb's grave under government orders with spades in their hands. This will stop riots in Maharashtra and calm the minds of fanatics,” said the editorial, dripping sarcasm.
"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's rule was based on religion and it was about taking everyone along. This idea was not acceptable to the BJP earlier and is not acceptable even now. Actually, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj were never symbols of the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or the BJP. Now they are saying 'Jai Shivaji', and 'Jai Sambhaji' as per convenience. Therefore, Aurangzeb is BJP’s new Shivaji," said the Saamana editorial
It continued, “No one will glorify Aurangzeb in Maharashtra. Here only Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be hailed. Therefore, after the release of the film 'Chhavaa', organisations like RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and neo-Hindutva elements of BJP showed political fury against Aurangzeb's grave and spoiled the atmosphere of Maharashtra." UNI AAA SSP