Govt will do its job: Rane to Hindutva bodies amid calls to raze Aurangzeb tomb

Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Monday invoked the demolition of Babri masjid and asked Hindutva outfits to do their duty while the government will carry its responsibilities amid protests by rightwing bodies for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb reported news agency PTIRane known for making controversial comments also denounced attempts to label Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a secular kingThe Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHP staged protests for the removal of Aurangzebs grave which they termed as the symbol of pain and slavery in Khuldabad Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districtThe government will do its part while Hindutva outfits must do theirs When Babri Masjid was being demolished we did not sit and talk to each other Our karsevaks did what was appropriate Rane said reported PTIHe spoke while addressing a gathering at Shivaji Maharajs birthplace Shivneri fort in Pune district on the occasion of his birth anniversaryThe VHP staged protests at government offices in different parts of Maharashtra and submitted memorandums for the removal of Aurangzebs graveIn case of government inaction the VHP warned that it would march to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district and demolish the graveRane also denounced the portrayal of Shivaji Maharaj as a secular kingWe must continuously emphasise that Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of Hindvi Swarajya This identity must be reiterated repeatedly so that the attempts of certain groups to portray him as a secular king can be thwarted by us as true devotees of Shivaji Maharaj he said reported PTIRane reiterated that Shivaji Maharajs army never had Muslim soldiersIt is not as if only a handful of people understand history while the rest do not We too have knowledgeable sources guiding usThe British referred to my king as a Hindu General When Adil Shah sent Afzal Khan to kill Shivaji Maharaj the decree issued at the time explicitly stated that the spread of Islam had been hindered during Shivaji Maharajs reign These historical records are now coming to light the BJP leader added reported PTIRane said he would repeat his no Muslim soldiers in Shivaji Maharajs army stand in the Assembly if given an opportunityWe cannot allow a distorted version of our kings history to be propagated he saidAccording to Rane the true history is being conveyed to future generations through the Hindi movie Chhaava based on Shivaji Maharajs son Sambhaji MaharajAurangzeb demanded that Sambhaji Maharaj Shivaji Maharajs son convert to Islam Those who argue that their battle led by the fatherson duo was not against Islam how do they explain this If it wasnt a fight for religion then what kind of war was it he asked reported PTIRane said the calls by Hindutva organisations regarding Aurangzebs tomb are significantThis is a significant day As a minister I have limitations on how much I can openly say but you all know my views Today I am a minister tomorrow I may not be but until my last breath I will remain a Hindu he added reported PTIWith inputs from PTI