Aurangzeb not relevant, says RSS' Sunil Ambekar

In a significant turn of events, RSS has said that the current Aurangzeb issue is an irrelevant one - a remark which appeared to be a snub to the stand taken by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal that have been agitating for the removal of Aurangzeb's grave in Maharashtra.

"I think he is not relevant," said RSS national publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar in response to a question on whether Aurangzeb was relevant today and whether his tomb should be removed (from the state). Ambekar made the comments in Bengaluru where RSS' Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha will hold a three-day meet.

Condemning the Nagpur violence, he said, "I think any type of violence is not good for society. Police have taken cognizance of it and will go into the details."


Aurangzeb is buried in Maharashtra's Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. VHP and BD had carried out protests throughout the state demanding that the grave be removed. One such protest in Nagpur on March 17 led to a riot as a rumour spread that VHP had burnt a cloth with religious writings on it.

Ambekar's comments on Aurangzeb notwithstanding, BJP and RSS are on the same page on the need for a strong deterrent so that Nagpur-type riots do not occur again.

BJP MLA from Nagpur Central, Pravin Datke, said in the assembly: "The mob attacked policemen and was abusing them in filthy language. The mob had caught this woman constable and tried to tear off her clothes and tried to molest her. They even tried to take her to a different place. The brave woman somehow managed to come out of their clutches. Police have all the CCTV footage and stern action should be taken against them."

A complaint of molestation has been lodged at the Ganeshpeth police station. The Opposition has also joined the cause and said targeting cops was not good and action should be taken against the culprits.