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Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi stated that the issue of Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra was raised unnecessarily and highlighted the inclusiveness of Bharat by referencing Shivaji's respect for even Afzal Khan. Meanwhile, CM Devendra Fadnavis opposed the tomb's glorification but noted it is an ASI-protected site. Tensions continue with recent violence following VHP's actions against the tomb.
NAGPUR/MUMBAI: Senior RSS figure Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi said in Nagpur on Monday that the issue of Aurangzeb's tomb was unnecessarily being raked up.
"Aurangzeb ka anavashyak vishay uthaya gaya hai (The topic of Aurangzeb has been raised unnecessarily). He (Aurangzeb) died here, so his tomb has been built here. Those who have faith will go," he was quoted as saying in a video put out by PTI.
The day also saw Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis reiterating his opposition to "glorification" of the tomb of the Mughal emperor, a hate figure among
Hindutva
supporters. However, he added that the tomb was an ASI-protected structure. The remarks of Fadnavis, who had earlier said it was "unfortunate" that the govt had to guard the place (tomb), did not appear to sit well with those of Joshi.
Shivaji our ideal, he built tomb for even Afzal Khan: Bhaiyyaji
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "Whether we like it or not, it is our responsibility to follow the law. (But) we will not allow glorification over there at any cost."
While speaking on Aurangzeb, senior RSS functionary Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi took an example from Shivaji's life. "We have Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj
as our adarsh (ideal). He had even built (Adilshahi general) Afzal Khan's tomb (at the base of Pratapgad fort). Bharat ki yeh udarta ki, sarvasamaveshakta ka prateek hai (This is a symbol of Bharat's generosity and inclusivity). Woh kabar rahe, aur jisko wahan jaana hai woh jayein (Aurangzeb's tomb can remain, and those who want to visit it can go there)," he said.
Joshi was responding to a question about MNS chief Raj Thackeray's comments on Sunday on the controversy over the tomb. Raj had said people should not fall victim to the politics of caste and communal hatred.
Joshi's comments come less than a fortnight after RSS chief spokesperson Sunil Ambekar clarified that "the tomb issue is not irrelevant, Aurangzeb is," after reports had quoted him as saying in a press conference in Bengaluru that "Aurangzeb was not relevant today."
Joshi was 'sarkaryavaha' (general secretary) of the RSS for four terms starting 2009 and was replaced by Dattatreya Hosabale in 2021.
The VHP and Bajrang Dal have demanded removal of the tomb, which is in Khultabad near Daulatabad in Maharashtra, and riots broke out in Nagpur on March 17 after the VHP's alleged act of burning an effigy of Aurangzeb and of a symbol of the tomb.
Fadnavis, who is from Nagpur and of the favourites of the Sangh leadership, led BJP to a huge victory in the 2024 Maharashtra elections on an unabashedly Hindutva platform where he called upon Hindus to come together to foil "vote jihad," a reference to the effort of opposition parties to consolidate Muslims against BJP.
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