​Past as a prelude: On the Nagpur riots and Aurangzeb  - The Hindu

Key Argument:

The article argues that the Nagpur riots were not spontaneous but orchestrated by vested interests using Aurangzeb's legacy as a political tool to distract from pressing socio-economic issues in Maharashtra.

Evidence and Analysis:

The author points to several pieces of evidence:

• The consistent invocation of Aurangzeb by right-wing parties in the lead-up to and during the Budget session.
• The neglect of crucial issues like inflation, farmer suicides, and economic distress in Maharashtra.
• The use of Aurangzeb's legacy as a dog whistle to mobilize the majority community against Muslims.
• The box-office success of the film "Chhaava," which depicts the conflict between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb, as a contributing factor but not the primary cause of the violence.

The article suggests that the government's focus on divisive narratives rather than addressing socio-economic challenges is a significant factor contributing to the unrest.

Conclusion:

The author concludes that Maharashtra's government must shift its focus from divisive narratives to socio-economic challenges and that civil society must resist communal forces exploiting historical figures for political gains.