Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while unveiling a statue of Maharana Pratap in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, emphasized that figures like Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are India’s true national heroes, not Mughal rulers like Aurangzeb or Babur. He criticized the glorification of medieval invaders and said such praise undermines the values and identity of modern India, including the sentiments of the country’s Muslim community.
Criticism of Historical Narrative and Glorification of Mughals
Speaking at a public event in Maharashtra, Singh highlighted how post-independence historians, especially those with leftist ideologies, failed to give due credit to national icons like Rana Pratap and Shivaji Maharaj. Instead, he said, these historians glorified rulers such as Aurangzeb, who according to Singh, do not deserve the stature of national heroes. Quoting India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Singh reminded that even Nehru described Aurangzeb as a bigoted and cruel ruler. “A person like him cannot be considered a hero,” Singh asserted.
He contrasted Aurangzeb with Dara Shikoh, the Mughal prince known for translating the Upanishads and promoting interfaith respect, whom Aurangzeb had executed. This, Singh said, exemplifies why such rulers should not be revered.
Role of Minorities in National Legacy
Rajnath Singh further emphasized that the legacies of Maharana Pratap and Shivaji Maharaj were inclusive and not anti-Muslim. He pointed out that Muslims and tribals played crucial roles in their armies. Hakim Khan Suri, a Muslim commander, died fighting alongside Maharana Pratap in the Battle of Haldighati. Similarly, Madari, a young Muslim, served as Shivaji Maharaj’s bodyguard. These examples, Singh noted, reflect the unity and collective strength of Indian society.
He argued that praising figures like Aurangzeb, Babur, Ghori, or Ghaznavi will not help any political party gain Muslim votes. On the contrary, such praise insults Indian Muslims who take pride in the country’s diverse and inclusive history. Singh also defended the renaming of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Aurangzeb Road to APJ Abdul Kalam Road, questioning why anyone would object to such changes.
Reiterating his party’s stance, Singh said that the BJP sees all Indians as equal, regardless of religion, and aims to correct historical wrongs by giving due respect to India’s real heroes.
