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Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA and former Maharashtra Minister, Jitendra Awhad, has stoked a new controversy by calling Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb “not a Hindu hater”.
In a bid to defend Maharashtra Leader of Opposition, Ajit Pawar’s Friday remarks on Chhattrapati Sambhaji, Awhad brought up the Mughal ruler during his interaction with the media on Monday.
Awhad said that in the earlier days Maratha was not a caste but a “dharma that was followed” and taken forward by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, after Pawar had in the state assembly said that the Maratha king (Sambhaji Maharaj) had never upheld dharma or religion in his life.
“Sambhaji Maharaj laid the foundation of dharma and it was not a caste,” he said.
“He (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj) was brought to Bahadurgad where his eyes were removed. Close to Bahadurgad Fort, there was a Vishnu Temple. Aurangzeb was cruel but not anti-Hindu. If he was anit-Hindu he would have demolished that temple too (Vishnu Temple),” Awhad addressing a press conference on Monday said.
He referred to history and said Aurangzeb had killed his brothers and father. He was cruel. However, he said regular historical references should be avoided.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that Aurangzeb destroyed many temples in Maharashtra and tortured women.
“NCP is insulting Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and praising Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb destroyed many temples in Maharashtra and tortured women,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
