Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has questioned the need for conflict over the demand to relocate Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave from the state. Addressing the issue on Tuesday, he remarked that Aurangzeb had passed away over three centuries ago.

“If you want to remove his grave, go ahead… but why not call C Naidu and Nitish Kumar as well?” he quipped, referring to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. His comment was interpreted as a reference to the political significance of Muslim voters in their respective states, particularly with the Bihar elections approaching.

Thackeray further pointed out that Aurangzeb was actually born in Gujarat’s Dahod in 1618 before passing away near Bhingar, Maharashtra, in 1707. His son, Aaditya Thackeray, also took aim at the BJP, accusing them of fueling this controversy to divert attention from governance failures.

“The BJP is trying to turn Maharashtra into another Manipur. When they struggle to govern, they resort to inciting violence. They dig up history instead of addressing present and future issues,” Aaditya Thackeray asserted, adding that Aurangzeb’s grave remains under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India, a decision taken by an earlier administration.

Violence Erupts Over Aurangzeb’s Grave

Tensions flared in Nagpur on Monday evening following a protest by the hardline group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which symbolically burned a representation of Aurangzeb’s grave. Misinformation spread quickly, leading to violent clashes.

Several homes and businesses were damaged, vehicles were set on fire, and nearly 40 people sustained injuries. According to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the VHP protestors had only burned a symbolic grave made of grass bundles, but rumors escalated tensions, drawing around 250 individuals from the Muslim community to the protest site.

In response to escalating threats, law enforcement intervened, using force to restore order. By Tuesday morning, Maharashtra’s junior Home Minister, Yogesh Kadam, confirmed that 47 individuals had been detained, and that a number of police officers and civilians sustained serious injuries.

Political Reactions and Accusations

The incident sparked a heated political blame game between the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Chief Minister Fadnavis, addressing the state assembly, alleged that the violence was part of a “premeditated conspiracy targeting specific individuals and establishments.”

Adding a surprising twist, he also blamed the recent Bollywood film ‘Chhava,’ which depicts historical conflicts between the Marathas and Aurangzeb, for fueling tensions. His statement drew sharp criticism from opposition leader Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took a more direct approach, declaring that “patriotic Muslims will never support Aurangzeb” and branding those who defend the Mughal ruler as “traitors.”

Uddhav Thackeray countered the ruling party’s claims, highlighting that the violence erupted in Nagpur, the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s ideological mentor.

“If anyone is behind this, ask the Chief Minister. The RSS headquarters is in Nagpur, and yet this happened under their watch. If the ‘double-engine’ government has failed, they should step down,” Thackeray remarked.

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar echoed similar sentiments, accusing the ruling government of “deliberately spreading hatred and conflict.”

Authorities have since restored calm in Nagpur, but curfews and restrictions on large gatherings remain in effect in certain areas as a precautionary measure.