Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena declares in Saamana: “Aurangzeb is the BJP’s New Shivaji”

In a scathing editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena (UBT) attacked the BJP for what it sees as a drastic shift in ideology. The party claims that the BJP now appears to be elevating figures like Aurangzeb to the status once reserved for the revered Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to the editorial, Shivaji’s legacy was built on inclusiveness and unity, values that stand in stark contrast to the BJP’s current approach, which it accuses of rewriting history for political convenience.

The editorial highlights growing tensions following calls for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s grave. Neo-Hindutva groups along with organizations like the RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Bajrang Dal have reportedly stirred up anger after the release of the film Chhavaa. These groups have even threatened to launch “Kar Seva,” a drive aimed at removing the tomb, drawing parallels with the Babri Masjid incident. The piece argues that, since Aurangzeb’s grave is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, the central government should remove its protected status to defuse the situation and avoid further conflict.

The editorial also takes a swipe at political leaders. It recalls comments made by Odisha BJP MP Pradeep Purohit, who controversially stated that “our Shivaji is Modi” and even suggested that Modi was Shivaji in a previous life. The piece condemns this comparison, arguing that it is an attempt by the BJP to forge a new identity that undermines the historical significance of the real Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It further criticizes Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for his inaction amid recent violence in Nagpur—a city with a long history of peace until riots and arson erupted following the controversy over Aurangzeb’s grave.

Additionally, the editorial points to a series of disturbances across the state from extortion and murders in Beed to riots in Parbhani and Holi-related violence in Konkan as evidence that inflammatory rhetoric and political maneuvers are deepening communal divides. The piece concludes with a poignant appeal, questioning whether the descendants of Shivaji would approve of the current glorification of Modi as a surrogate Shivaji, and laments the division and religious strife that now plague Maharashtra.

This editorial serves as a pointed critique of the BJP’s current strategies, accusing it of rewriting history and igniting fresh conflicts in a state once united under the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.