By The Sampadak Express
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, amid a heated debate over the controversial tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) questioned the glorification of the ruler, calling him a “blot on our history.” Shinde’s remarks came during a tense exchange between ruling and opposition members in the state legislative council, following a sharp comment directed at Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab.
Addressing the council about the recent violence in Nagpur, Shinde took the opportunity to voice his concerns about the legacy of Aurangzeb, whose tomb has become a point of contention, especially with right-wing groups demanding its removal.”
Who is Aurangzeb? Why should we allow his glorification in our state? He is a blot on our history,” Shinde stated in his closing remarks. He further emphasized the emperor’s brutal treatment of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who had been given the choice to convert to Islam by Aurangzeb but refused, ultimately facing severe torture and execution.
Shinde’s comments escalated when he responded to an allegation from Anil Parab, who had accused him of switching allegiance from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition to the BJP out of fear of central agencies. In his retort, Shinde made a pointed comparison, saying, “Even the US, after killing Osama bin Laden, ensured that he was not buried on their land. They disposed of him into the sea to prevent any glorification.”
The Deputy Chief Minister also took issue with state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal’s comparison of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s governance to Aurangzeb’s rule. “Did Fadnavis ever torture anyone the way Aurangzeb did to his enemies?” Shinde questioned, turning to Parab and asking if the chief minister had ever subjected him to torture.
The remarks triggered an angry response from Parab, who stood up and demanded the opportunity to reply, further fueling the already intense debate.
