Mumbai: Shivaji Jayanti is an occasion to remember the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who shaped Indian history with his valour and vision. However, in a fiery editorial, Shiv Sena UBT mouthpiece Saamana criticised certain fringe groups advocating for the destruction of Aurangzeb’s tomb, comparing it to the Babri Masjid demolition. The editorial argues that such demands distort history, insult Maharashtra’s warrior tradition and attempt to turn Hindutva into extremism.

According to report, those calling for the tomb’s destruction are enemies of Maharashtra’s proud legacy. “They wish to poison the state’s atmosphere and present themselves as Hindu Taliban,” the editorial states, adding that such actions misrepresent Hindutva and disrespect the ideals of Shivaji Maharaj’s Hindavi Swarajya.

The editorial revisits history, stressing that Shivaji Maharaj and the Marathas fought against oppression for 25 years, ultimately ensuring that Aurangzeb met his end in Maharashtra, exhausted and defeated. The presence of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra, it argues, is not a mark of Mughal dominance but a symbol of the Marathas’ resilience.

Historical Context & Legacy of Aurangzeb’s Tomb

Aurangzeb waged a long campaign to conquer the Deccan, arriving in Maharashtra in 1681 with an army of eight lakh. His ambition was to establish a ‘second Delhi’ in the region and crush the Marathas. He stayed in Maharashtra for 24 years, struggling to subdue the Marathas.

Despite his vast military resources, he failed. The editorial cites historical records describing his grand procession into Maharashtra, complete with European artillerymen, hill warriors and war elephants, only to be relentlessly resisted by Maratha forces.

Aurangzeb died in 1707 in what is now known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), a broken man who could not achieve his goal of crushing the Maratha Empire. Saamana states that his tomb stands as a testament to his failure and the Marathas’ ultimate victory.

Calls For Political Action

The editorial strongly urges Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to put an end to what it calls ‘shameful attempts’ to use Shivaji Maharaj’s name for divisive politics. It warns against those trying to erase historical monuments for their own agendas. Instead of destruction, it advocates for understanding and preserving history.

The piece also recalls a historical anecdote involving PM Lad, a senior official in the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. When confronted by leaders questioning Maharashtra’s importance, he would tell them to visit Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The tomb, he believed, symbolised Maratha courage and the Mughal Empire’s downfall.

A Call For True Hindutva

While Saamana acknowledges Aurangzeb’s brutality, it argues that true Hindutva, as exemplified by Shivaji Maharaj, is about honour, tolerance and wisdom, not blind destruction. It calls for Maharashtra’s youth to learn real history instead of engaging in provocative acts that undermine the state’s glorious past.

The editorial concludes by stating that Aurangzeb’s tomb is not a sign of Mughal victory but a reminder of how Maharashtra outlasted and defeated one of the most powerful rulers in history. In a scathing attack against the Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, the editorial ends with, “Chief Minister Fadnavis should shut down this shameful business running in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!”

Mumbai: State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal has compared the three-party Mahayuti government to Gangs of Wasseypur, criticising its chaotic and power-hungry behaviour. “Ministers are constantly at odds with each other, showcasing their hunger for power. This government is no different from the Gangs of Wasseypur,” aid the newly appointed state Congress chief on Sunday.

Addressing a meeting with the district unit in Ratnagiri, he further slammed the government for failing to deliver on its promises, citing the unmet assurances of fair remunerative prices for agricultural produce and loan waivers for farmers. Sapkal also highlighted the exclusion of over 10 lakh women from the benefits of the Ladki Bahin scheme.

“The law and order in the state is very bad. A sarpanch in Beed district was brutally murdered and the people knew who was behind it. A minister has been found guilty of submitting fake documents, while the guardian minister of Sindhudurg is disturbing the peace and harmony in the state by making absurd statements every day. As if it was not enough, wrong information is being spread about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” said Sapkal.

“BJP is trying to disturb the atmosphere in the Konkan belt. It has a plan to allocate precious minerals to industrialists. In this process, efforts are on to increase the rift between various communities so that the people of Konkan do not get in the way of giving benefits to industrialists”, alleged the MPCC chief.

The ruling party is trying to destroy Konkan for the benefit of industrialists. The Shakti Peeth highway is being built for the benefit of industrialists, said the leader.

Before this, Sapkal sought to compare Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. “He (Aurangzeb) was a cruel ruler. He jailed his father and used religion while ruling the empire. Devendra Fadnavis is also cruel and also takes support of the religion,” said Sapkal, inviting a barrage of criticism from the BJP.

The party’s state unit chief and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule slammed him, terming the statement childish and irresponsible. “Sapkal is insulting the pride of Maharashtra by making such statements,” Bawankule has said in a post on ‘X’.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded action from the government against Shiv Sena Shinde faction member Sanjay Nirupam.

He said that Sanjay Nirupam sees hostility towards Muslims everywhere. If a Muslim builder builds a housing society and building, it is housing jihad. Similarly, Sanjay Nirupam is furious over the Muslim Personal Law Board’s announcement to build Shaheen Bagh to protect the properties of the Waqf Board. He says that if Shaheen Bagh is built, then Jallianwala Bagh will be built.

Azmi said that the country got independence only after the sacrifice in Jallianwala Bagh. Sanjay Nirupam should not forget this. He said that now the matter of giving Malhar certificate has been abandoned, while mutton and meat are bought from Muslims. Such certificates are being issued to destroy and ruin Muslims economically and to weaken them economically. We will agitate for this, we cannot step back from this, it is our duty.