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Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Som sparked controversy on Wednesday with his statements about Aurangzeb, the 17th-century Mughal emperor.
Som's statements come amid a growing debate about Aurangzeb's legacy and his treatment of Hindus. Som highlighted the destruction of the Kashi temple in Varanasi and the Mathura temple, both significant symbols of Hindu faith. He argued that Aurangzeb's actions were unjustified and that Hindus should reclaim and rebuild their temples without relying on the courts. Speaking to ANI, Som said that the decision regarding the temples in Mathura and Kashi will not be taken by the court but by the people. He questioned whether Aurangzeb's actions were justified by any court orders, emphasizing that he did not rely on legal authority to demolish temples and build mosques. "Did Aurangzeb demolish them on the orders of a court? Did Aurangzeb ever go to court before demolishing temples and building mosques? That is why we will also not rely on the court; we will reclaim and rebuild our temples ourselves," he said. He made this statement on the ongoing legal dispute over the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi issue in Mathura. Som alleged that Aurangzeb was solely responsible for demolishing temples, raping Hindu women, and killing Hindus. He further stated, "The way he raped Hindu women and killed Hindus, only Aurangzeb is to be blamed for it. Now, the second thing. Our Kashi temple is a symbol of the faith of crores of Hindus, and our Mathura temple is a symbol of faith; Aurangzeb demolished it and what about thousands of temples?" Som demanded that signs of Aurangzeb be demolished and replaced with temples. He further asserted, "Now, Hindus have awakened. The decision regarding the temples in Mathura and Kashi will not be taken by the court but by the people." He also criticized the Congress party for naming roads in Delhi after Aurangzeb and Akbar, calling it an act of defaming the country. He also criticized the Congress, saying, "Congress named roads in Delhi after Aurangzeb and Akbar. Naming places after such people is an act of defaming the country." Som's statements come amid a growing debate about Aurangzeb's legacy. While some view him as a good ruler, others criticize his policies as intolerant and oppressive. Som argued that history supports his claims, citing Aurangzeb's destruction of thousands of temples, conversion of lakhs of Hindus, and killing of lakhs of Hindus. On the current issue of Aurangzeb, he said, "India is discussing Aurangzeb, and some people call him a good ruler and consider him as their ideal. I want to ask them: did Aurangzeb not kill lakhs of Hindus, did he not convert lakhs of Hindus, did he not destroy thousands of temples? I am not saying this. History says this, it is written in history." The controversy surrounding Aurangzeb's legacy has led to calls for removing his name from public spaces. "Today, the whole of India wants Aurangzeb's name not to be in the country, and the signs of Aurangzeb, which are there, should also be demolished, and a temple should be built there," he further added. Aurangzeb's reign, which spanned nearly 50 years, was marked by significant military campaigns, territorial expansion, and economic growth. However, his policies towards non-Muslims, particularly Hindus, have been widely criticized as intolerant and oppressive Earlier in the day, amid the demands made by the VHP and other organisations to remove Aurangzeb's tomb from Shambji Nagar, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) spokesperson Sunil Ambekar on Wednesday said that the Mughal Emperor was "not relevant" in today's times while asserting that any form of violence was discouraged. "Aurangzeb is not relevant today. No form of violence is encouraged," Ambekar said. The RSS stand comes at a time when tensions are high after violence broke out in Nagpur over the demand to remove Aurangzeb's tomb and various rumours connected to it. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also slammed Opposition parties, accusing them of reviving Aurangzeb's ideology. He asserted that the real challenge was not the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb but the eradication of his ideology, which he claimed was influencing the Congress and other Opposition parties. "The Opposition is reviving the ideology of Aurangzeb... Instead of promoting the ideology of Aurangzeb, they (Congress) should promote the ideology of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam," Sharma told ANI. "The main task is not to remove Aurangzeb's tomb but to remove the ideology of Aurangzeb, which exists in the minds of Congress and the Opposition," he added. (ANI)
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