In UP’s Muzaffarnagar, a Shiv Sena leader offers a reward for demolishing the Mughal emperor’s grave
Team Clarion
MUZAFFARNAGAR – The Hindutva brigade is upping the ante in its opposition to the legacy of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb Alamgir. The demand to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb from Khuldabad in the Maharashtra city of Aurangabad has sparked nationwide debates and violent clashes in Nagpur.
Shiv Sena has now raked up the issue in Uttar Pradesh. Its leaders have recently indulged in provocative remarks in this connection.
On Tuesday, a large group of Shiv Sena workers gathered outside the Muzaffarnagar District Collector’s office to protest against Nagpur violence. The protesters expressed their vehement opposition to the legacy of the Mughal ruler. Some demonstrators also called for severe actions against those supporting Aurangzeb.
Bittu Sikheda, the Muzaffarnagar district president of Shiv Sena, further fanned the flames of controversy by announcing a hefty reward. “Whoever demolishes Aurangzeb’s tomb will be rewarded with 5 bighas of land and Rs 11 lakh in cash,” Sikheda declared, a statement that has drawn widespread criticism and concern across the country.
The protest saw Shiv Sena leaders submitting a memorandum to the prime minister, demanding the removal of all tombs associated with Mughal rulers, including Aurangzeb’s. They also called for the renaming of roads and monuments linked to the Mughal era. The memorandum included a controversial demand for the revocation of Indian citizenship for individuals allegedly supporting Aurangzeb, suggesting they be booked under the National Security Act (NSA) and deported to Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Dinesh Falhari, leader of the Shri Krishna Janambhumi Sangharsh Nyas, a right-wing outfit in Uttar Pradesh, also joined the fray, announcing a reward of Rs 21 lakh for anyone who demolishes Aurangzeb’s tomb.
Falhari’s organisation has previously stirred controversies in Mathura, calling for the removal of Muslim religious structures near the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple.
This is not the first time that Aurangzeb’s tomb has become the subject of controversy. In 2022, Maharashtra police imposed temporary restrictions on public access to the tomb after right-wing groups attempted to visit the site, further highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the issue.
The growing chorus for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb, along with the statements from influential figures like Sukheda and Falhari, has fuelled fears of more clashes in the coming days. The central and state governments are under pressure to take swift action to maintain peace and prevent communal violence while ensuring that any actions taken are within the framework of the law.
