In run-up to Nagpur violence, how the air was heating up

But tensions have been brewing in the state for about two weeks, ever since Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA and state chief Abu Azmi praised Aurangzeb, sparking fierce backlash and contentious statements from leaders of the ruling Mahayuti, building up to demands for the razing of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

March 3

Azmi first stoked the controversy with his remarks criticising the historical accuracy of Bollywood hit Chhaava, a drama centered around Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Maratha king Shivaji. Disputing the film’s portrayal of Aurangzeb, the SP leader said: “Wrong history is being shown in ‘Chhaava’… Aurangzeb built several temples… I do not think he was a cruel administrator.”

Police disperse an agitating crowd as communal tension prevailed Chitnis park area following the VHP-Bajrang Dal protest, in Nagpur, Monday. (PTI Photo)

Azmi, known to make statements triggering controversies, also said that during the Mughal emperor’s reign, India’s borders were spread from Afghanistan to Burma, and the country was referred to as “sone ki chiriya (golden sparrow)” with its GDP accounting for 24% of the world GDP.

March 4

Mahayuti MLAs raised Azmi’s comments in the Assembly, triggering verbal altercations. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena, among others, demanded his suspension. The ensuing chaos led to the adjournment of the House even as Opposition parties termed the move a “political drama”.

“Aurangzeb first tortured Sambhaiji Maharaj and then killed him inhumanly. Aurangzeb vandalised temples, and killed people across all religions, including Hindus,” Shinde said. “(Azmi’s) statement is wrong and should be condemned… He should be charged with treason.”

A day later, Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly during the Budget Session.

March 5

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath then waded into the controversy, attacking Azmi and the SP, the ruling BJP’s chief rival in UP.
“Remove that person from the party (SP) and send him to UP, we will treat him. The person who feels ashamed about the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, instead of taking pride in it, and who considers Aurangzeb as his idol, does he have the right to stay in our country?” Adityanath said in the UP Assembly.

March 7

BJP Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, called for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb, located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. “What is the need for the tomb? … Bring in a JCB machine and raze the tomb. Aurangzeb was a thief. He had come for the purpose of looting. Why should he be glorified? Those who visit his tomb to pray should take the tomb to their homes. Are they his descendants?” he said.

Security personnel in Chitnis Park area of Nagpur on Monday. (Express photo by Dhananjay Khedkar)

At the same time, Bhosale said that it should not be “coloured as a Hindu-Muslim issue”. “In Shivaji Maharaj’s empire, Muslims occupied important positions, be it in his army or other services. He never discriminated against them. Even Shivaji Maharaj’s bodyguards were Muslims,” Bhosale said in response to BJP MLA and state minister Nitesh Rane’s claim that there were no Muslims in Shivaji Maharaj’s army.

March 10

On the sidelines of an event for the Sikh community in Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appeared to support Bhosale’s demand but said his government’s hands were tied. “We all believe the same (that the tomb should be razed). But anything can be done only as per law as the tomb is a protected monument. The previous Congress government put it under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),” Fadnavis said.

March 11

Nitesh Rane, who is also the son of former CM Narayan Rane, backed the demands to raze the tomb. “We are ready to remove the tomb of Aurangzeb. It will be done in such a way that no one will know anything in advance. Journalists will learn about it only after it is done. Just like we removed encroachments at the fort of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj without prior announcement, we will do the same with this tomb. When it happens, it will certainly make breaking news,” Rane said.

“We’ve already planned and decided, and it will surely happen. We are in government now, so there is no need to fear. We have a full five years to remove the tomb. We’ve just started,” Rane added.

March 12

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar of the NCP, which counts the minorities among its supporters, made an attempt to cool the conflict over Azmi’s remarks. “Some individuals from ruling parties, as well as opposition, sometimes make statements that are harmful to Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage. Leaders in the past have always made efforts to maintain communal harmony and ensure that different communities co-exist peacefully,” Pawar said.

March 13

While not defending Azmi, a member of ally SP, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Aurangzeb’s tomb should remain as a symbol of Maratha resistance. “The tomb reflects the bravery of Marathas. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj fought the Mughals bravely. Despite having a huge army, Aurangzeb failed to defeat the courageous Marathas. He was finally buried on our land. We should not do away with this part of history,” Raut said.

March 14

Raut attacked the Mahayuti government, calling the Aurangzeb controversy a distraction from other issues. “It has been 400 years since Aurangzeb was buried. Forget him. Are farmers in Maharashtra committing suicide due to Aurangzeb? They are doing it because of you… The BJP’s tenure is worse than that of Aurangzeb,” Raut said.

March 16

A day before the violence broke out in Nagpur, Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale said the removal of the tomb would not serve any purpose. “Aurangzeb’s tomb has been in Maharashtra for centuries. There is no need to reopen the issue. The tomb is a reminder of Aurangzeb’s misdeeds, and its removal will serve no purpose,” said the Union Minister of State for Social Justice.

March 17

On the day of the violence, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said, “We don’t want the tomb of Aurangzeb. Our party’s stand is clear on this count. When we see the tomb, we lose our cool. One king comes to our land, destroys our temples, commits atrocities on women… tortures and kills Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj… Why do we need the tomb of Aurangzeb?”

Fandavis too said Aurangzeb should not be glorified, but reiterated that the tomb was an ASI-protected site.

“Let me make it clear that come what may, this government will not allow the glorification of Aurangzeb or his tomb. The ASI declared it a protected monument 50 years ago. This, unfortunately, makes it the government’s obligation to ensure its safety,” Fadnavis said.