Ajit Pawar defends Aurangzeb's grave, promotes inclusivity

MUMBAI: Ajit Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, has spoken out against calls to demolish the grave of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. This comes after demands from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena. Pawar believes there is no need to bring up Aurangzeb after so many years. Pawar emphasized that Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Maratha king, ruled with inclusivity. He noted that Shivaji worked with people from various castes and communities, including Muslims. In a program on ABP Majha, he stated that Shivaji’s cooperation with different groups is well-documented in history. He questioned the motive behind raising issues related to Aurangzeb's grave, asking, “When was he buried? Why make it an issue now?” Pawar expressed concern about creating misunderstandings between communities. He also called for strict action against anyone trying to disrupt peace. In addition, Pawar criticized BJP minister Nitesh Rane for making provocative comments. He reminded all ministers that they represent the whole state, not just specific communities. He urged for careful consideration in public statements to maintain law and order.