Man who lived 300 years ago... Uddhav Thackeray takes jibe on Aurangzeb grave controversy

There was huge controversy over the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Nagpur, Maharashtra that led to violent protests, fires, and looting. Amidst the violence, the ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked why one had to fight for a king who passed away more than 300 years ago.

Aurangzeb was born in Gujarat: Uddhav Thackeray

Assailing further at the BJP, Thackeray jogged one's memory that Aurangzeb himself was born in Gujarat, and not in Maharashtra. His son Aaditya Thackeray addressed in the same vein stating that the BJP has raised this controversy to shift attention from its own shortcomings on the governance front. Aaditya Thackeray also held the BJP responsible for attempting to ferment trouble in Maharashtra as it is fermenting in Manipur at present. 

Protected historic monument

Aurangzeb's tomb is a historic structure maintained in government control by ASI. It has been safeguarded by successive regimes, a decision for which Uddhav Thackeray quite explicitly expressed his remorse about. "We too want to destroy it, but all that needs to be done within the law," he said.

Violence over the Mughal ruler's tomb

Riots erupted at around 7:30 PM on Monday evening as buildings, stores, and cars were set ablaze. Approximately 40 individuals were injured. Sources indicate that the clashes started when the right-wing organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad draped the portrait of Aurangzeb with a green cloth which represented his mausoleum. The action provoked widespread unrest and reached its height in widespread violence clashes.