Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam has stoked a controversy by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi the modern-day incarnation of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
While campaigning for Congress in Varanasi, Sanjay Nirupma said, “I feel that the person that people here have chosen – Narendra Modi is actually the modern incarnation of Aurangzeb.” Nirupam also claimed that Modi is the modern-day version of Aurangzeb as it was on his instructions that “scores of temples were destroyed for the sake of a corridor in the city”.
Nirupma was referring to the demolition of several small buildings and structures as part of the clearance to build the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, as part of which many temples were also allegedly destroyed. He further claimed that Modi has also instructed that a ‘fine’ or ‘fee’ of Rs 550 be charged from disciples who want to visit the Baba Vishwanath temple. “This is proof that whatever Aurangzeb could not do, Modi is doing today,” he said. “At one time, Aurangzeb came to the streets of Kashi to destroy our temples, even when the residents had saved her temples and protested,” he said, adding that a similar movement will take place now.
The polling for Varanasi constituency will be held in the last and seventh phase on May 19. The Prime Minister is seeking re-election from the seat, where he had polled nearly 5.8 lakh seats.
