TCN News
Bengaluru: The violence that erupted in Nagpur, Maharashtra, over the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb has stirred a war of words between Karnataka’s Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress has criticised the objections raised regarding the grave’s existence, while the BJP insists that maintaining it goes against the nation’s interests.
During a press interaction at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA, C.N. Ashwath Narayan, strongly condemned the grave. “Aurangzeb was an invader who destroyed our culture, religion and beliefs. Having the grave of such a person is against the interests of our country. There is a lot of ill-will regarding Aurangzeb’s reign. We cannot glorify what he did to our country, and that is why people are questioning the existence of his grave,” he said, emphasising, “That is the sentiment of the people.”
In response to remarks made by Minister Priyank Kharge, who pointed out that while the world is discussing Artificial Intelligence, the BJP is preoccupied with Aurangzeb, Narayan shot back, “What stops Congress leaders from raising these issues? Why cannot Priyank talk about it? The nation should always come first. How can we build our country while glorifying Aurangzeb? He was an invader who destroyed our country.”
Narayan further added, “It is because of people like Priyank Kharge that our country is still suffering.”
The BJP leader did not stop there and launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government. “What is their government doing about Artificial Intelligence, IT and education? They are only interested in politics. They want to use treasury funds to fulfill their political ambitions, and they are acting against the interests of Karnataka and society,” Narayan claimed.
Turning to the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh, he said, “Illegal immigration of Bangladeshi nationals is taking place, and while some strong measures have been implemented, much more needs to be done.”
He called on Home Minister G. Parameshwara to take stronger action on the matter.
In a rebuttal to Priyank Kharge’s claim that Vinayak Savarkar had defeated Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in an election, Narayan dismissed it as untrue. “There is no truth in his statement. The BJP is more than willing to take up this challenge and show the people how the Congress party and late Prime Minister Nehru treated Ambedkar. This topic has been repeatedly raised by the BJP. Priyank Kharge only indulges in ‘hit-and-run’ politics. He provides mere lip service with no real action. Let his work and policies speak for themselves.”
Meanwhile, Minister for RDPR, IT and BT, Priyank Kharge, responded to the violence in Nagpur, calling out the BJP’s priorities. “BJP leaders need to decide whether they want to take the country forward or backward. While the entire world is talking about free trade and Artificial Intelligence, BJP leaders are still talking about Aurangzeb. What is this nonsense? What will be achieved by digging up graves and bringing them down?”
Kharge continued with sharp criticism: “Will history change? Will the present change? Will the future of India or its youth change? I think the BJP has lost its sense of priorities. They don’t know what to discuss or what should be the country’s focus. A Bloomberg report states that more than 100 crore people do not have extra income to spend.”
Kharge was equally dismissive of the BJP’s focus on the past, asking, “Will destroying the grave or tomb of any emperor improve anyone’s life? Why are they living in the past? People have elected them to focus on the present and shape a better future for the youth. While the whole world is discussing Artificial Intelligence, they are fixated on Aurangzeb. These leaders should be ashamed.”
In response to BJP leaders’ remarks that Bengaluru should not become like Bangladesh, Kharge raised critical questions: “It’s agreed that Bengaluru should not turn into Bangladesh. But how are Bangladeshi nationals entering Bengaluru when we don’t even share an International Border? Who is responsible for this? Whose duty is it to safeguard the country’s borders?”
Kharge went on to take a swipe at the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and stated, “You claim to be the most powerful Home Minister after Sardar Patel, so how can you not protect our borders? Why are our borders so porous? How are Bangladeshis entering Karnataka from BJP-ruled states? How are Afghans and Pakistanis making their way to Bengaluru?”
The Congress leader continued, “What happened to Ajit Doval? What is the Ministry of Home Affairs doing? What is the BJP at the Centre doing? What is happening in BJP-ruled states? Instead of making baseless accusations in legislative sessions, BJP leaders in Karnataka should take these concerns up with their high command.”