New Delhi: On Thursday, March 19, a group of three men was seen defacing the Akbar Road signboard in Delhi by smearing it with black paint. The men, who identified themselves as members of a protest group, claimed they were retaliating against the defacement of a statue of Maharana Pratap at Kashmere Gate ISBT, reported the Economic Times.
One of the protesters, Amit Rathore, demanded that those responsible for vandalizing the statue be arrested, accusing the Delhi government and police of suppressing the issue. As they painted over the signboard, the group raised slogans of “Jai Bhavani” and later pasted a poster of Maharana Pratap over it.
A video of the incident surfaced on social media, showing another protester, Vijay, stating that they were removing signboards bearing the names of Mughal rulers like Akbar, Babur, and Humayun as part of their campaign. He accused the Mughals of committing atrocities against Hindus, claiming they destroyed temples, persecuted people, and disrupted India’s unity.
This incident follows a similar act in February 2025, when protestors defaced the signboards of Akbar Road and Humayun Road in Delhi. During that protest, images of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were pasted over the names in response to the release of the Bollywood movie Chavva. The film, depicting the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and his suffering under Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, has fueled tensions, particularly over its portrayal of Aurangzeb’s rule.
The film’s release has also reignited political debates, with some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders demanding the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad). Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that while he had no objections, legal procedures must be followed, as the tomb is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also condemned those praising Aurangzeb, calling them “traitors” due to his historical actions against Hindus. Meanwhile, right-wing groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have staged protests, burning effigies of Aurangzeb and demanding action.
Tensions escalated further on March 17 in Nagpur, where clashes between police and the Muslim community led to the arrest of over 50 people, including minors. In response to the ongoing turmoil, authorities in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar have increased security, requiring visitors to present identity cards before entering Aurangzeb’s tomb.
