Aurangzeb died in 1707… why remove his tomb now? But Muslims should keep distance: Union minister Ramdas Athawale

* What is your opinion on the demand to remove the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb?

Aurangazeb died in 1707. The issue of removing his tomb did not come up in the last 300 years. It came up when the movie Chhava was made on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. People know that Aurangzeb had him killed. But in the film, they saw it. The movie has been seen all over India. People tell me the film is a hit and they cried while watching it. After that, this demand surfaced.

I am with the NDA and Modi ji, as I like their policies, but I think nothing will come out of removing Aurangzeb’s tomb. It should not be removed. There is a history of Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj. Aurangzeb tried to capture many provinces and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj prevented him from doing so. Had it not been for Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb and the Mughals would have spread throughout the country. Sambhaji Maharaj refused to bow to Aurangzeb. So, he was tortured and his body was dismembered. Among the Mavalas (soldiers) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were also Dalit Mahars. There was a Mahar called Govind Gaekwad in a village near Bhima Koregaon. When he saw the dismembered body of Sambhaji Raje, he stitched the body together. That is our Samaj.

I think that removing the tomb will bring no gains. But Muslims should not associate with Aurangzeb … And Hindus should also not demand the removal of the tomb … The tomb is ASI-protected. After the Nagpur incident, there has been no riot. There were riots in Mumbai in 1992, but there have been no riots there after that. Some Muslims went to Pakistan to get training after 1992 to become militants. Some were caught by the police. But no Hindu pelted stones on Muslim houses. So, Muslims have nothing to fear. There have been no riots in UP under Yogi Adityanath, though there were riots in Akhilesh Yadav’s time.

Muslims are benefiting from the Modi government’s schemes, with no discrimination. So, the Hindu-Muslim rift isn’t good for the country. We should focus on development.

* Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has also talked of the tomb being ASI-protected, but Deputy CM Eknath Shinde argues that even the US did not give Osama bin Laden a burial. Is the NDA speaking in different voices on this issue?

There are different parties, and their lines can be slightly different. But I think the ASI-protected tomb should be protected. Muslims should not associate with Aurangzeb’s tomb, but the tomb should stay.

* Since you believe Chhava brought the demand to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb to the fore, do you think filmmakers should be more careful about the impact their movies can have?

Yes, filmmakers should be responsible, but the truth of history should be shown. If it is true, it should be shown. The filmmaker removed a dance sequence of Sambhaji Maharaj after objections. In this film, the sequences shown needed to be shown.

* Is it time to move on from the Aurangzeb controversy?

After the Nagpur incident, this is being talked about. Now there is peace. So, this issue should be stopped. Aurangzeb is dead and the issue should also be dead.

* What do you think about the Kunal Kamra controversy?

Kunal Kamra is a good artiste and has a good sense of humour. But words like gaddar (traitor) should not be used. Comedy is fine, but he should have been careful about the language he used. He should not have sung that song.

* How has the Narendra Modi government fared on delivering its promises?

Rahul Gandhi organised a Bharat Jodo Yatra. The mission was Bharat Todna (breaking India), driving a wedge between Hindus and Muslims and disturbing those who are with Modi ji. The Opposition came together in the Lok Sabha elections to dislodge Modi. But that dream could not be fulfilled. However, our seats went down. Just as Babasaheb’s Constitution lays down, the Modi government practises Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas. Modi ji will become Prime Minister for the fourth time too and that record will never be broken. This is what I feel. There is no unity among Opposition parties. The false narrative around reservation worked in the Lok Sabha, but did not work at all in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi. They now have a false EVM narrative. When you get seats, the EVMs are alright, but when you lose, the EVMs are bad. This isn’t a good thing.