Image Source: TOI
Bengaluru: MP Tejasvi Surya has been the centre of quite a few controversies over the years, most recently for his comments on Muslim women. Two days ago, the MP invited more trouble for himself when he tweeted, “That even ‘educated’, ‘liberal’ & ‘modern’ Muslims romanticise Mughal rule & describe atrocious period as India’s golden age proves, beneath the apparent modernism, sophistication & polish lies 16th century bigotry. Till Afzal Khans are romanticised, Shivaji’s vigil must continue.”
On May 3, the Bengaluru South MP entered a Twitter battle centred on the topic of the Mughal era being India’s “golden age” that was going on between designer Farah Khan and Chairman of Aarin Capital Mohandas Pai.
Farah Khan had responded to Pai calling her a liar tweeting, “I lie & d whole world does 2. But u Mr Pai know best. Are u still refuting d fact that under d Mughals d Indian Economy had 24.4 percent world GDP share higher than even China or Europe?The Mughals contributed to d period of Golden Art &Architecture &History hold that true not me.”
That even ‘educated’, ‘liberal’ & ‘modern’ Muslims romanticise Mughal rule & describe atrocious period as India’s golden age proves, beneath the apparent modernism, sophistication & polish lies 16th century bigotry
Till Afzal Khans are romanticised, Shivaji’s vigil must continue https://t.co/7PI9DzNgOu
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) May 3, 2020
It was quoting this tweet that MP Tejasvi Surya wrote the aforementioned comment.
Seeing the comment, a Bengaluru-based engineer by the name Rakshit Ponnathpur decided to take the MP to school and point out to him that India’s, specifically Bengaluru’s history is not as simple as a mere Hindu vs Muslim saga.
Here are Rakshit’s tweets elaborating why it is wrong for the BJP MP to paint India’s history as a constant battle between the Hindus and the Muslims.
The Bengaluru you represent in Parliament was taken away from Kempegowda II by the joint army led by Shivaji’s father & Ranadullah Khan of Bijapur. Wodeyars got Bengaluru back 60 years later from Shivaji’s brother by paying 3 lakhs to the Mughal king Aurangzeb. Whose vigil again? https://t.co/gwDha5lL6q
— Rakshith ?????????? (@PonnathPuraaNa) May 3, 2020
History is complicated. Not simple Hindu Muslim binary which is the only lens you can apply. Marathas, partnered with Nizams, Bijapur & Mughals alternatively and wreaked havoc on many of Karnataka’s Hindu rulers and kingdoms. Can you talk about it? Whose history is jaundiced?
— Rakshith ?????????? (@PonnathPuraaNa) May 3, 2020
I wonder why @INCKarnataka & @JanataDal_S haven’t exposed the history of Maratha rulers in Karnataka yet. The next time Tejasvi Surya talks of Shivaji, DKS & HDK should ask why Shivaji’s father did what he did to our Kempegowda, despite the latter being a devout Hindu.
— Rakshith ?????????? (@PonnathPuraaNa) May 3, 2020
I wonder why @INCKarnataka & @JanataDal_S haven’t exposed the history of Maratha rulers in Karnataka yet. The next time Tejasvi Surya talks of Shivaji, DKS & HDK should ask why Shivaji’s father did what he did to our Kempegowda, despite the latter being a devout Hindu.
— Rakshith ?????????? (@PonnathPuraaNa) May 3, 2020
This entire charade of showering adulation on Maratha rulers by @BJP4Karnataka is tremendously disrespectful to the state, her self-respect, and her rich legacy and history. They are all celebrated enough in Maharashtra. So leave that job to the people of Maharashtra.
— Rakshith ?????????? (@PonnathPuraaNa) May 3, 2020
This thread is not intended to demonise Maratha rulers in any way. It is only intended to expose the over simplification of history. For that, even I have chosen only selected events. So in a way, mine is also an oversimplification. They only did what everyone else did back then-
— Rakshith ?????????? (@PonnathPuraaNa) May 3, 2020
Ally with whom they felt they needed to consolidate & expand power. Friends turned foes and became friends again. This was the story of all the kingdoms and empires. Muslim rulers had Hindu commanders and vice versa. Muslim & Hindu kingdoms allied also, fought also.
— Rakshith ?????????? (@PonnathPuraaNa) May 3, 2020
In summary, the politics of that time was very complicated. Reducing all of that to Hindu vs Muslim to paint a very flawed and inaccurate picture of the existence of a valiant Hindu unity against Islamic brutality, is very wrong. Shivaji & Shivaji’s family allied with many Khans.
— Rakshith ?????????? (@PonnathPuraaNa) May 3, 2020