Our ideals were not at all anti-Islam and anti-Muslim: Rajnath Singh

Addressing a public gathering in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Singh referred to key figures in Indian history to underline the unity between communities during the country's civilizational and freedom struggles.

"Our ideals were not at all anti-Islam and anti-Muslim. Hakim Khan Suri fought alongside Maharana Pratap in the battle of Haldighati against the Mughals. Even in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army, there were members of the Muslim community. Shivaji's most trusted bodyguard was a Muslim youth named Madari. Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are our heroes," Singh said.

The Defence Minister also took aim at what he described as the "glorification" of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in Indian history textbooks. He said such portrayals distort historical facts and wrongly encourage admiration for a ruler whose legacy is deeply controversial.

"In our history books, even a cruel and ruthless ruler like Aurangzeb has been presented in a glorified manner. Due to this distorted history, some people attempt to portray Aurangzeb as a hero. An attempt is being made to create sympathy for Aurangzeb without knowing the truth..." he said.

Quoting former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Singh said, "Pandit Nehru himself called Aurangzeb a fanatic and bigoted ruler. He wrote that Aurangzeb imposed the Jizya tax on Hindus and tried to suppress Rajputs, Sikhs, Marathas, and others. He also destroyed many Hindu temples."

Singh further recalled the execution of Dara Shikoh, Aurangzeb's elder brother and a well-known scholar who translated the Upanishads.

"How can such a ruler be anyone's hero? Such people never talk about Dara Shikoh, who translated the Upanishads. Who got Dara Shikoh killed? Aurangzeb got him killed. His hatred for Sanatan culture was behind Dara Shikoh's murder," he said.

Aurangzeb has been a deeply polarising figure in Maharashtra, and controversies surrounding the Mughal ruler frequently resurface in the state's political discourse. Nagpur was the centre of violent clashes between two communities after right-wing outfits held a protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb.

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi recently sparked controversy in the Maharashtra Assembly, where he was suspended for defending Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, describing him as a "good administrator."

Aurangzeb's reign is often associated with religious intolerance and military expansion. His conflicts with the Maratha Empire, including the capture and execution of Sambhaji, are significant historical events.