Maharashtra ... "a new Hindutva laboratory" :::::: How does it suit BJP and Narendra Modi ? --- Why Aurangzeb will remain a burning issue ?

Gujarat was easily designated as a Hindu laboratory state. Uttar Pradesh was one by its own quality of neo-nationalism and polarised politics. Now comes Maharashta which houses RSS headquarters Nagpur and is now under rule of BJP-Shiv Sena government. 

The state of Maharashtra now is in the grip of another kind of politics. Analysts may say the public outcry of "razing the tomb" of Aurangzeb is probably intended for turning Maharashtra into another Hindutva laboratory. And it is happening almost.  

Narendra Modi is in power since 2014. The stint will enter the 12th year on May 26th. Of course the honeymoon has been long over. In 2024 general elections, he was punished in a mild manner but saved from being given the marching order. 

He still symbolises 'hope' for Hindutva forces as also poor people. And hence even as the BJP could not repeat the magic of 2014 and 2019 in Uttar Pradesh, it did well in some states such as Odisha. 

In overall context, we may ask what does Narendra Modi's progress card look like?  

But it is also true his opponents have failed against Namo. 

The popular support of the voters with which Modi and BJP won the 2014 polls and repeated the same in 2019 did not quite convince his detractors. The electoral victories the BJP scored in parliamentary polls for three consecutive terms and in several states was equally matched by a hate campaign and gross negativity. 

They did not seem to believe that Modi had the right to occupy the chair in the corridors of power in Delhi. To their prejudiced minds and hateful hearts -- the logic of Modi winning the mandate to govern India was perhaps of no relevance. 

Of course Hindutva played a part. But there were other issues of his governance too. His development programmes were constantly slammed and even opposed without any reason or rhyme. 

They could not entertain the argument that Diplomacy was one area where Namo continued to shine.  There is a vicious cycle and hence both the BJP and Modi himself have been often compelled to play Hindutva cards.  

Thus, Ram Mandir definitely helped in 2024. It virtually has given him a fresh lease of political life. 

Over to Maharashtra and the issue around Aurangzeb. 

The Mughal emperor is the most glaring symbol of an anti-Hindu ruler in the state and also in other parts of India. 

The 'Aurangzeb' as a political issue and the more recent amendments to the Waqf law have helped the BJP to 'paint' the entire Opposition as anti-Hindu.

The Congress had numerous mistakes in the past that only took away overwhelming numbers of Hindu votes. Others are more known as and to an extent they draw pride in being dubbed as pro-Muslim parties. One is the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal - that goes to the polls in 2026 and the other one is Samajwadi Party of Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh - where Yogi Adityanath is already the Hindutva mascot.

In most cases, the opposition parties often take Hindu voters for granted. The demand for caste census is seen by Hindus from that perspective. Rahul Gandhi made it worse wherein he used Gautam Adani bashing a major electoral plank in Maharashtra. 

The passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament is a smart move in more ways than one. 

From the perspective of Maharashtra and demand related to demolishing the tomb of Aurabgzeb, the fact of the matter is the grave in Khultabad in the Marathwada region is on the Waqf land. 

The Lotus party thus has a marketable issue at hand to keep the electoral pot boiling. 

Politics is ruthless. It is more so during elections. It is more so when issues involved are emotive.

People of northeastern states and especially three Christian-ruled states Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram represent a dichotomy. They wanted to punish a political party, its mentor RSS -- known for alleged anti-Christian policies and intent and ultimately the sword of anguish fell on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also on 'local regional heroes' and regional parties in the states.

A Decade: Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal vanish from competition leaving Modi almost unchallenged 

Ten years --- certainly a long period. In 2014, intellectuals and political commentators believed Narendra Modi as a chief challenger to power by ousting Manmohan Singh faced competition from becoming Prime Minister from Rahul Gandhi and also Arvind Kejriwal. 

Today, circa 2024, the AAP boss lost power in Delhi and Rahul is still the same old lackluster performer. Thus, it's advantage Modi. This also means advantage Hindutva.  

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is another emerging BJP face. His statement that it was 'unfortunate' that his government was 'forced to protect' the Aurangzeb tomb has been endorsed by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 

This also means the Lotus party and other Sanghparivar stakeholders will make use of the tomb imbroglio when political time matures. 

Hence, the Aurangzeb's tyrannical regime and the tomb issues will come up in a big way around 2027 when UP goes to the polls and also around 2029 when the time will be ripe for a much important and fierce electoral battle.  

The Uttar Pradesh CM has also started talking about a 'new India'. And acording to Yogi what will not be accepted by that 'new India' is glorification of invaders who had attacked Bharat's pride and heritage and had dishonoured Hindus. 

Between Aurangzeb and Babar -- the former was the most anti-Hindu ruler and the latter the founder of dynastic Mughal rule. 

Some studies ought to be made now what will generate a more powerful and grievous Hindu emotions;  Babar or the latter era's tyrannical ruler who is also seen as someone who insulted and harassed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

And what is 'Shivaji as a political power' in Maharashtra and even in the rest of India is known when one visit the state.

I stayed in Thane (near Mumbai) for more than seven years. The Chhatrapati is hailed as the dearest “Rayatecha Raja” -- the king of the people.

History has often shown that the Success carries its own seeds. 

ends