Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal has ignited a fresh political controversy by drawing parallels between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, branding both as “cruel rulers” who used religion for power. The statement has triggered a strong response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the Congress of insulting Maharashtra’s heritage and lowering the standard of political discourse.
Speaking at a public event, Harshwardhan Sapkal remarked, “Aurangzeb was a cruel ruler who imprisoned his own father and used religion as a political weapon. Today, Devendra Fadnavis is equally cruel, employing religious sentiments to strengthen his power. The governance styles of Aurangzeb and Devendra Fadnavis are strikingly similar.”
The comparison drew immediate condemnation from BJP leaders. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule termed the remarks as “childish and irresponsible,” emphasizing that the Congress had damaged the state’s political culture with such statements. “By equating Aurangzeb with Devendraji Fadnavis, Congress is not just attacking a leader but is also insulting the identity of Maharashtra,” Bawankule stated.
BJP MLC candidate Sanjay Kenekar further escalated the attack, claiming that Congress had become “irrelevant” in modern politics due to its alleged opposition to Hindu sentiments. “This statement is not just disgraceful but also indicative of the Congress’s desperate attempts to stay politically relevant. Harshwardhan Sapkal has not only embarrassed himself but also his entire party. They have stooped so low that it seems they need medical attention at a mental asylum,” he said.
The controversy over Aurangzeb’s legacy has been brewing in Maharashtra for months. Last month, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi stirred a political storm by praising Aurangzeb as a “capable administrator” and accusing historical narratives of misrepresenting his rule. Azmi argued that India was called the “golden bird” during Aurangzeb’s reign and that the country’s economy accounted for 24% of the global GDP at the time.
Azmi’s remarks, made in the context of the Marathi film ‘Chhava,’ which portrays Aurangzeb’s rule, provoked intense backlash from the ruling parties. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde demanded Azmi’s suspension from the Assembly, and police cases were filed against him. Amid growing pressure, Azmi withdrew his comments, claiming his words had been distorted. However, the damage was already done, and he had to secure anticipatory bail from a Mumbai court.
The fresh controversy over Harshwardhan Sapkal’s remarks on Devendra Fadnavis has further intensified political tensions in Maharashtra, with BJP leaders calling for an apology from Congress. As political rivalries escalate, this debate over historical narratives and their use in contemporary politics is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
