Sun Mar 16 17:20:35 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Congress Leader Sparks Outrage with Aurangzeb Comparison to Chief Minister
**Mumbai, India –** A fresh political firestorm has erupted in Maharashtra following a controversial comparison made by the state Congress chief, Harshvardhan Sapkal. Sapkal drew parallels between the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging that both were cruel rulers who exploited religion for political gain.
Sapkal’s remarks, which have been widely condemned by the BJP, ignited a debate already simmering since Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi’s recent defense of Aurangzeb’s administrative abilities. Azmi’s statement, made amidst the controversy surrounding the film “Chhaava,” which depicts the torture of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, sparked several police complaints and resulted in him securing pre-emptive bail.
The BJP has strongly criticized Sapkal’s statement, labeling it “childish, irresponsible, and an insult to the identity of Maharashtra.” State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule condemned the comparison as a new low in political discourse. The BJP has also voiced its support for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb from Khulabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Azmi, whose earlier statements also sparked widespread outrage, had claimed that Aurangzeb was wrongly portrayed in history, highlighting his purported administrative achievements and territorial expansion of India during his reign. These claims, however, have been met with strong resistance given the historical context of Aurangzeb’s rule. The controversy continues to dominate Maharashtra’s political landscape.
First Piper 