"Hamain Aisa Etihaas Padhaya Gaya, Jisme Aurangzeb Jaise Krur Aur Nirdayee Shashak Ka Bhi Mahima Mandit Kiya Gaya. Isi Ghalat Etihaas Ki Wajah Se Kuch Log Aurangzeb Ko Aaj Hero Banana Ki Koshish Karte Hain."
"We were taught such a history where even cruel and ruthless rulers like Aurangzeb were glorified. Due to this distorted history, some people today try to portray Aurangzeb as a hero." – Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at an event in Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra.
On March 17, 2025, violence erupted when stones were allegedly hurled at police amid rumors that the Quran, the holy book of the Muslim community, had been burned during a right-wing group's protest over the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in Nagpur, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh's comment on Aurangzeb has come at a time when the controversy over Aurangzeb has not died down.
"Maharana Pratap embodied courage and patriotism," Singh said. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj notably drew inspiration from Maharana Pratap's guerrilla tactics. Maharana Pratap and Shivaji Maharaj are our true heroes."
Moreover, Singh added that after independence, left-wing historians failed to acknowledge Rana Pratap and Shivaji Maharaj's contributions, instead glorifying Aurangzeb.
The BJP has long linked Aurangzeb's rule to religious intolerance and aggressive expansion.
On November 8, 2024, during the Maharashtra assembly elections, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Your every vote will decide whether Maharashtra will follow the path of Shivaji Maharaj or Aurangzeb for the next five years. You have to decide whether you will stand with those who call Sanatan Dharma dengue or malaria or with those who respect Sanatan Dharma," as per reports.
Read More | Aurangzeb's Tomb Turns A Political Flashpoint
Earlier, in July 2024, Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the Maha Vikas Aghadi, led by Uddhav Thackeray, labelling them as an 'Aurangzeb Fan Club' and claiming they couldn't ensure the country's security.
Shah said, "This Aurangzeb Fan Club cannot ensure the security of the country. Who is this Aurangzeb Fan Club? It is (Maha Vikas) Aghadi, and Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of the Aurangzeb Fan Club, as quoted by news agency ANI.
On December 26, 2022, PM Modi stated that Aurangzeb's attempts to forcibly impose his religion on Guru Gobind Singh exemplified how oppression can undermine a society's future and self-confidence.
He said, "Aurangzeb and his people wanted to forcibly change Guru Gobind Singh's religion. In a society or kingdom where its new generation succumbs to force and oppression, its self-confidence and future automatically die."
On the other hand, party leaders like Abu Azmi have praised Aurangzeb.
On March 5, Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for his recent controversial remarks praising Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
He claimed that under Aurangzeb's rule, India's borders extended to Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar). He also described Aurangzeb as a non-cruel administrator who built numerous temples.
As controversy over his Aurangzeb remarks erupted in the Maharashtra Assembly, Abu Azmi clarified that his statements were misinterpreted. He denied making any disparaging comments about Shivaji and Sambhaji Maharaj and offered an apology if his words had caused offense to anyone
