A banner depicting Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, displayed in Belagavi’s Shahu Nagar, has incited unrest in the area. The police quickly intervened, bolstering security measures, but tensions persisted as social media posts emerged protesting the banner’s removal.
The unrest began when an unknown group erected a banner celebrating Aurangzeb, labeling him “Sultan-e-Hind” and claiming he was “the real founder of Akhand Bharat,” coinciding with his birth anniversary.
Authorities removed the banner in response to local protests and heightened security in the vicinity to avert further issues. Residents voiced their anger, demanding prompt action against those they believed were attempting to instigate communal discord.
Despite the apparent calming of tensions, some young men from another community took to social media to express their outrage over the banner’s removal. They questioned why the Aurangzeb banner was taken down while a nearby banner of Veer Savarkar, a Hindu nationalist, remained. They indicated that they would not accept the removal of their banner.
These online reactions have intensified the situation, prompting authorities to consider further measures to manage the unrest. Rohan Jagadish, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Law and Order in Belagavi, commented on the rising tensions, stating, “On November 3, coinciding with Aurangzeb’s birthday, some individuals displayed posters on public property without authorization. The municipal corporation has since removed them.”
He added that a police report has been filed and that efforts are underway to identify those responsible. “A social media monitoring campaign is in effect, and the situation is under control. The corporation will take further actions as needed,” he assured.
