Nagpur: Opposition MPs on Tuesday slammed the BJP-led Maharashtra government for the Nagpur violence, accusing it of inciting tensions for political gains. Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale linked the unrest to the recently released movie Chhaava, claiming it fueled public outrage over the atrocities committed by 17th-century Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
Curfew has been imposed in several parts of Nagpur after a protest against Aurangzeb’s tomb escalated into violent clashes on Monday night. Several houses and vehicles were vandalized as tensions flared across the city.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Athawale said, “Demands are being raised about Aurangzeb’s grave, a movement is going on. The grave has been there for 500 years, but after watching the Chhaava movie, the way he murdered Sambhaji Maharaj, that has made people angry. That is why protests are happening. We appeal to the protesters that they should agitate peacefully. There should be no violence.”
AAP MP Sanjay Singh, however, alleged that the violence was preplanned by the BJP to divert attention from pressing economic issues. “BJP had been trying to spread hatred in Nagpur and the whole of Maharashtra for a long time. As long as the BJP is there, there cannot be peace in India. Ahead of Holi, they tried to disrupt peace in Uttar Pradesh. What is the reason behind it? It is so that people can’t talk about the crashing share market, economic disparity, and rising unemployment,” he said.
Singh further added, “Ye chilla rahe hai Aurangzeb, Aurangzeb, janta kah rahi hai kat gayi jeb… (They are shouting Aurangzeb, but people are saying their pockets are being picked).”
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram also criticized the growing political obsession with historical figures. “It is unfortunate that in 21st-century India, people are agitating over the history of the 17th and 18th centuries,” he remarked.
