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Uddhav Thackeray On Aurangzeb Grave Row

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Mumbai:

Amid arson and vandalism in Maharashtra’s Nagpur – over demands Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave be moved out of the state – ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday questioned the need for a face-off on this issue, pointing out the controversial ruler had died over 300 years ago.

“If you want you can remove his grave…. but call C Naidu and Nitish Kumar…” he also quipped.

The reference to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister (Chandrababu Naidu) and his Bihar counterpart – both key BJP allies – has been seen in the light of the Muslim population in each state, and the importance of their votes to the TDP and JDU, particularly with elections next year in the latter state.

Mr Thackeray also threw in a second jab at the BJP, pointing out Aurangzeb had, in fact, been born in Gujarat; he was born in 1618 in Dahod in Gujarat and died near Maharashtra’s Bhingar in 1707.

Uddhav Thackeray’s comment was echoed by his son Aaditya Thackeray, who accused the BJP of orchestrating this controversy to distract from the state government’s failures. In a sharp attack of his own, Thackeray junior also accused the BJP of trying to “make a Manipur of Maharashtra”.

“Sadly, when the BJP cannot govern… they resort to violence and riots. If you look at Manipur… that is exactly what they want to convert Maharashtra to. They are trying to dig up the history of someone who lived over 300 years ago, but they cannot speak about the future… the present.”

“The irony is the grave is protected by the central government…” he added.

Aurangzeb’s grave is a historical monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, a decision by an earlier administration that the Chief Minister has publicly rued, saying, “We want the same thing (to remove the grave) but you need to do it within the framework of the law.”

Violence Over Mughal King’s Grave

Houses and shops were vandalised, vehicles were set on fire, and nearly 40 people injured in violence that erupted Monday starting 7.30 pm, reportedly after hardline group Vishwa Hindu Parishad burnt a photo of the Mughal ruler wrapped in a green cloth to ‘symbolise his grave’.

READ | “Police Came After They Ran Away”: Nagpur Residents Recall Horror

According to Mr Fadnavis, this was a rumour – part of the “conspiracy” – and the VHP protesters had only burnt a “symbolic grave with bundles of grass”. However, after the rumour was spread, around 250 Muslims arrived at the VHP’s protest site and threatened violence.

“When people said they would set vehicles on fire, police used force,” he said.

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Homes and shops were vandalised and vehicles set on fire in Nagpur (Credit: PTI)

This morning Maharashtra’s junior Home Minister, Yogesh Kadam, said 47 people have been detained so far. He said at least a dozen cops and two civilians had been badly injured.

The violence triggered a predictable political squabble between the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and the BJP and its ally, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction.

Chhava‘ And A “Conspiracy”

Speaking in the Assembly this afternoon, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed a “premeditated conspiracy… to target specific houses and establishments”.

And, in a twist that led to a scornful retort from the opposition’s Priyanka Chaturvedi, he also blamed ‘Chhava‘, a recently released Hindi film about the Marathas battle with Aurangzeb.

READ | Devendra Fadnavis’ ‘Chhaava’ Mention In Assembly On Nagpur Violence

Mr Shinde, was more direct in his attacks, claiming a “pre- planned conspiracy to target people belonging to a specific community” and declaring “patriotic Muslims will never support Aurangzeb”.

He also branded those defending Aurangzeb “traitors”.

The BJP-Shiv Sena’s allegations of an ‘opposition conspiracy’ behind the Nagpur violence were firmly dismissed, with Uddhav Thackeray pointing out the clashes took place in a city home to the head office of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which is the BJP’s ideological mentor.

“I am not the Chief Minister… nor am I the Home Minister. Ask the Chief Minister who is behind this violence. Because the RSS headquarters is there. There is a double-engine government here and if it has failed, then they should resign…” he told reporters.

The Congress has also responded, with its Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar saying on X, “Deliberate efforts are being made to spread hatred and incite conflict… by the ruling class”.

The situation in Nagpur has calmed down, officials said this morning. However, a curfew and prohibitory orders – banning large gatherings – remain in place in several areas, police said.

With input from agencies

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US Vice President JD Vance Arrives In Delhi, Will Meet PM Modi

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New Delhi:

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in New Delhi this morning for his four-day visit to India. The US Vice President is in India with his wife, Usha Vance, the Indian-American Second Lady. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed the US Vice President at the Palam airport, where Mr Vance was given a tri-services guard of honour.

The US Vice President’s plane landed at the Palam Technical Area in New Delhi. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day, with talks likely to focus on an early finalisation of the proposed bilateral trade pact and ways to bolster India-US ties. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to join the discussions.

This is Mr Vance’s first visit to India after taking over as the Vice President of the United States. He is accompanied by a five-member delegation, including representatives from the Pentagon and the State Department.

Live Updates: JD Vance Arrives In Delhi, To Meet PM Modi Today In 1st India Visit

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, “The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of the outcomes of the India-US Joint Statement issued on February 13 during the visit of the Prime Minister to the US. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.”

After he meets with Prime Minister Modi, Mr Vance and his family will visit Jaipur and Agra. On Tuesday, the US Vice-President will visit the iconic Amer Palace. Later that day, he will deliver a keynote address at the US-India Business Summit at the Rajasthan International Centre. The summit will see participation from top Indian and American officials, with Mr Vance expected to talk about bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

On Wednesday, the US Vice President will travel to Agra for a visit to the Taj Mahal. After spending nearly three hours at the monument, he will return to Jaipur the same afternoon and visit the Jaipur City Palace.

He is scheduled to meet the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Governor Haribhau Bagade on April 22. He will leave for Washington on Thursday.







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Tripura Sends Team To India-Bangladesh Border Amid Concerns Over Embankments

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Guwahati:

A high-level delegation on Sunday visited the border town of Belonia and conducted an on the spot study, and possible effects on the Indian side due to an embankment being constructed by the Bangladesh government along the Muhuri River, which divides the two countries.

The delegation led by Tripura Public Works Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, after visiting the India-Bangladesh bordering areas, met villagers and held meetings with elected representatives, including the chairman of the Belonia Municipal Council.

Later, Mr Gitte said that to protect the South Tripura district headquarter Belonia, adjoining villages and habitations, embankments are being constructed and other measures have been taken up and the ongoing works would be intensified.

“By June this year, all the repairing and related works would be completed. Work would be done round-the-clock. As the volume of work is very big in South Tripura district, five additional engineers would be posted in the district,” Mr Gitte said.

During catastrophic floods and landslides in August 2024, many river embankments along the India-Bangladesh border and other infrastructure were damaged. The government identified 43 such locations in different districts, including South Tripura district, the IAS officer said.

He said the works to repair infrastructure will be started soon. Senior Border Security Force (BSF) officers were also present.

The Bangladesh government has been constructing another big embankment along Southern Tripura, opposite Belonia town, triggering tension among Indian residents as the embankment may endanger border villages during monsoon floods.

Residents under Belonia Municipal Council areas and those living in Ballamukh, Ishan Chandranagar and adjoining villages in South Tripura district have expressed serious concerns over the construction of the giant embankment by Bangladesh.

Earlier, similar embankments were built by the Bangladesh government along northern Tripura’s Unakoti district. That may also put the district town of Kailashahar and border villages during monsoon floods in danger.




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Vehicles In Delhi That Don’t Display Colour-Coded Fuel Stickers To Be Penalised

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New Delhi:

The Delhi transport department is set to crack down on vehicles that do not display colour-coded stickers indicating their fuel type, officials said on Sunday.

According to a public notice, non-compliance will attract penalties under the Motor Vehicle Act. The stickers are part of the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) mandate, introduced in 2012-13 and made compulsory for all vehicles by 2019.

“The Motor Vehicles (High Security Registration Plates) order, 2018 for displaying colour-coded stickers/third registration mark on the windshield of the vehicle. Non-compliance with the above order will also attract the provisions of Section 192(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988,” said the public notice issued by the department on Sunday.

Section 192(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act states the punishment for those who drive or cause or allow a motor vehicle to be driven in contravention of Section 39 (which relates to registration).

“The vehicle owners are advised to ensure strict compliance with the aforesaid order,” the notice said further.

In 2020, the transport department decided to launch a special drive against violations of the High-Security Number Plates (HSRP), under which there was a provision of a fine of Rs 5000 on any vehicle found plying without HSRP and stickers pasted on number plates.

According to officials, the HSRP number plate was introduced in the year 2012-13 and was made mandatory for all new vehicles in April 2019. The government made it compulsory for all old vehicles in Delhi to get the HSRP affixed.

According to rules, colour-coded stickers for diesel vehicles are orange, for petrol and CNG vehicles it is light blue and grey for all other vehicles.

Vehicle owners who do not comply with the order will not get Pollution Under Control ( PUC) Certificates.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)




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