Thu Nov 14 14:49:49 UTC 2024: ## Political Clash Erupts Over Razakar History as Kharge and Adityanath Trade Accusations
**Amravati, Maharashtra:** A bitter political battle has erupted between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with the two leaders trading accusations over the history of the Razakars.
Adityanath, while addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra, accused Kharge of conveniently forgetting the atrocities committed by the Razakars, a paramilitary force active in the former princely state of Hyderabad. The UP CM claimed that Kharge’s family suffered a personal loss during the Razakar reign, with his mother and sister reportedly killed in an attack. Adityanath alleged that Kharge remains silent on this history fearing a loss of Muslim votes.
The UP CM further claimed that Kharge’s village, Varawatti, was burned down by the Razakars. He asserted that Kharge’s silence on the Razakar atrocities demonstrates a deliberate attempt to suppress historical truth.
These accusations come days after Kharge launched a scathing attack on Adityanath over the “Batenge to Katenge” slogan.
Kharge’s son, Priyank, has previously recounted his family’s tragic experience with the Razakars. He revealed that his grandfather witnessed his wife and daughter perish in a fire set by the Razakars.
The Razakars were a paramilitary force aligned with the Muslim Nizam of Hyderabad, opposing the state’s accession to India. Their activities included widespread violence, looting, and torture against the local population.
The Razakar’s legacy remains a contentious issue in Indian politics, with some claiming they were freedom fighters while others consider them perpetrators of atrocities. The use of the term “Razakars” has recently become a political tool, with both Kharge and Adityanath deploying it to paint their political opponents in a negative light.
This escalating political conflict is likely to continue, with both sides likely to utilize the history of the Razakars to further their agendas.
First Piper 