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Yogi Adityanath expressed his concern over the plight of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, condemning the atrocities faced by the community.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. (PTI file photo)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday stirred a row with his remarks on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and his lineage saying that the progeny of the 17th century ruler now live near Kolkata, earning their livelihood as rickshaw pullers.
While addressing an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, he invoked the “divine justice of history” and said, “I was told that Aurangzeb’s descendants are living near Kolkata, working as rickshaw pullers. Had Aurangzeb not defied divinity and destroyed temples and religious sites, perhaps his lineage would not have faced such a fate.”
The chief minister further expressed his concern over the plight of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, condemning the atrocities faced by the community. Calling for the preservation of Sanatan values, the BJP leader said, “Our sages gave the world the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) thousands of years ago. Sanatan Dharma has always been a refuge for all faiths during times of crisis. But have Hindus been treated the same way? The violence in Bangladesh, and previously in Pakistan and Afghanistan, reflects the challenges faced by the Hindu community.”
Yogi Adityanath further highlighted the historical destruction of Hindu temples, saying that that temples of Hindus were destroyed again and again in various parts of the country.
“Temples of Hindus have been destroyed time and again, in Kashi Vishwanath Temple, in Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, Krishna Janambhoomi in Mathura, in Sambhal at Kalki Avatar’s Harihar Bhoomi, and in Bhojpur…Temples were broken here and made impure,” the UP chief minister said, naming the sites of the Gyanvapi and Sambhal mosques by their Hindu temple names.
His remakes came hours after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat raked up the ongoing Mandir-Masjid issue saying that it is “unacceptable” to rake up new mandir-masjid (temple-mosque) disputes in the country.
Aurangzeb, who ruled India in the 17th century, has been a polarising figure in Indian history. While some view him as a capable administrator, others criticise his religious policies and the destruction of temples during his regime. Yogi’s Adityanath’s remarks have reignited debates around Aurangzeb’s legacy and the historical grievances associated with his rule.