Authorities assure action against the culprits as communal tensions rise
Team Clarion
MEERUT — Amid the ongoing controversy over the Aurangzeb tomb in Maharashtra, some Hindutva elements blackened a signboard in the Uttar Pradesh city of Meerut displaying the name of Aurangabad village in the state.
Tuesday’s incident follows ongoing debates over the legacy of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Authorities have launched an investigation and assured action against those responsible.
According to local reports, the board, installed on the main road leading to Aurangabad village under Bhunpur police station, was defaced overnight. The act was discovered when residents noticed the board painted black, prompting concerns about rising communal tensions in the region.
As soon as the matter came to light, Samajwadi Party leader Babar Chauhan shared a video of the defaced board on Instagram, drawing widespread attention. Following this, local police, led by Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Rakesh Kumar Mishra, reached the scene and ordered the board to be cleaned immediately.
Speaking to reporters, SP Mishra stated, “We are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify those responsible. The situation remains peaceful, and police forces have been deployed to ensure harmony.”
Residents expressed concern over the incident, fearing it could escalate tensions. “Such acts create unnecessary divisions among communities. We request the authorities to take strict action against those trying to disrupt peace,” said a local villager.
Another local, Mohammed Salman, said, “This is not just about a name on a board. It reflects a larger agenda to erase our history and intimidate minorities. The authorities must take firm action to prevent further incidents like this.”
Political analyst Ayesha Khan observed, “These acts are part of a dangerous trend where historical names and symbols are being targeted to serve a specific ideological narrative. The government must intervene to uphold communal harmony.”
Meanwhile, political observers see this as part of a broader pattern of attacks on historical names and symbols associated with Muslim rulers. The name of Aurangabad has been a contentious issue in Maharashtra. It has now been named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji. The incident in Uttar Pradesh appears to be an extension of these controversies.
Authorities have assured strict action against those involved and urged the public to remain calm. To prevent further disturbances, the police have increased patrolling in the area.
With tensions simmering, the coming days will determine whether this act was an isolated incident or part of a larger ideological campaign aimed at rewriting history and asserting dominance over public spaces. Investigations are ongoing, and arrests are expected soon.
