As Opp raises Nagpur violence, Shinde: Why should glorification of Aurangzeb be allowed?

“Who is Aurangzeb, and why should we allow his glorification in our state? He is a blot on our history,” Shinde said adding Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was executed after he refused an offer by the Mughal ruler to convert to Islam.

Seeking a reply from the government, Danve said, “What is the situation of law and order in the state? Such a big incident took place. What were the intelligence agencies doing? How come they did not get to know about it?”

Earlier, speaking to mediapersons, Danve blamed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the violence in Nagpur and claimed that BJP was inciting violence.

Criticising state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal for comparing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ governance to Aurangzeb’s rule, Shinde retorted, “Did Fadnavis ever torture anyone the way Aurangzeb did to his enemies?” Then, turning towards Anil Parab, he asked, “Did he torture you?”

Shinde’s remarks was perceived as veiled reference to a case over alleged irregularities in the construction of Sai Resort in Dapoli allegedly linked to a close aide to Parab. Multiple investigative agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, summoned Parab several times for questioning over the case.

Angered by Shinde’s comments and gestures, Parab stood up and demanded the right to respond.

However, Council Chairman Ram Shinde did not permit him to speak, and his microphone remained muted. Despite this, Parab, Danve and other legislators, stood in protest seeking permission to counter Shinde’s statements—none of whom were allowed to speak.

Continuing his attack, Shinde said, “Anil Parab should not forget that whatever I did, I did openly—and I did it to save Shiv Sena from those who sympathise with Aurangzeb. It was Congress that provided protection to Aurangzeb’s tomb.”

Referring to Parab’s allegation that Shinde switched allegiance from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to the BJP out of fear of central agency notices, Shinde said, “Even the United States, after killing Osama bin Laden, ensured that he was not buried on land.

They disposed him off in the depths of the sea to prevent any glorification.”

Shinde claimed in the House that Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray had visited Delhi and bowed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pleading for relief from central investigative agencies.

Shinde accused Uddhav of double standards, claiming that while he sought PM Modi’s support in Delhi and even explored the possibility of forming a coalition government, he took a complete U-turn upon returning to Maharashtra.

He accused Uddhav of betraying the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by aligning with the Congress.

The Deputy CM further claimed that his faction had reclaimed the “bow and arrow” symbol, which, according to him, had been “mortgaged” to the Congress and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. “Since you have embraced the ideology of Aurangzeb, you have no moral right to speak about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,” he said, targeting the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.

He also alleged that during the MVA regime, there was a conspiracy to imprison BJP leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis, Girish Mahajan, Ashish Shelar, and Pravin Darekar. “However, we foiled their plans, overthrew the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, and established the Mahayuti government through our rebellion,” he claimed.