If you thought the controversy over rechristening a famous road was over after the Indian government renamed Delhi’s Aurangzeb Road after APJ Abdul Kalam, then you were wrong.
Senior functionaries of the ruling BJP have now stepped up campaign to do away with the name, Akbar Road, in Delhi.
The idea to change Akbar Road to Maharana Pratap Road was first mooted by Haryana’s chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar. Within days, this received support from another influential BJP leader and the former army chief, VK Singh.
Soon, other prominent faces of the saffron party took upon themselves to defend their leaders and began to voice their concerns against ‘perils’ of continuing with a name as objectionable as Akbar.
For novice, Akbar was one of the few Mughal rulers, who worked towards building bridges between Hindus and Muslims and had even launched something known as ‘Deen-e-Ilahi’ to achieve religious tolerance in India.
That’s what many of us learnt through our school textbooks before attempts were made to erase India’s past.
The controversy over the demand to rename Akbar Road gained considerable momentum on Wednesday after BJP leader Shain NC tweeted comparing the Mughal ruler with Hitler.
Social media users erupted in anger with many questioning her education.
Here are some examples.
Clear result of graduation in 'Entire Political Science'! ? https://t.co/pie0I50otT
— Sach ka Saath (@Anirban1202) May 19, 2016
Akbar, the equivalent of Hitler? Did I miss a memo? Or maybe my Rajasthan text books haven't been delivered yet pic.twitter.com/ovMmZsFfDY
— Ashwin Mushran (@ashwinmushran) May 18, 2016
In BJP school of history Akbar is the same as Hitler&Shaina NC the sparkling star in that school of learning, Way to go,Modiji must be proud
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) May 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/SarcastiCharm/status/732870855852621825
Had @shainanc gone to proper school, she wont have made the despicable mistake of comparing Akbar with Hitler pic.twitter.com/Axa6TSX3RM
— Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania) May 18, 2016
So @ShainaNC, may we know from where you got the idea that Akbar was like Hitler? Do we put this down to ignorance or bigotry?
— Tony Joseph (@tjoseph0010) May 18, 2016
Akbar = Hitler?? Really!! This is proof of what happens by studying history from new textbooks of Rajasthan. #Shame @sanjayuvacha
— Pranav P (@weirdkid84) May 18, 2016
You mean Akbar and Hitler were similar? I wonder who your history teacher was &what he/she thinks of this gem https://t.co/XZqL8hCoSW
— Rana Safvi رعنا राना (@iamrana) May 18, 2016
If Akbar = Hitler then
Shaina = Sadhvi Prachi pic.twitter.com/kB03zqEer7— The Chosen One (@Marc__Me) May 18, 2016
Comparing Akbar, a benevolent Muslim Emperor of India who is known for his religious tolerance, now compared to Hitler! #AchcheDin
— Kunal Majumder (@kunalmajumder) May 18, 2016
Akbar, the equivalent of Hitler? Did I miss a memo? Or maybe my Rajasthan text books haven't been delivered yet pic.twitter.com/ovMmZsFfDY
— Ashwin Mushran (@ashwinmushran) May 18, 2016
Height Of Foolish Jumlabaazi By @BJP4India Leader @ShainaNC, Comparing #Akbar With Mass Murderer #Hitler#Shame#ShainaLostMentalBalance
— bilal motorwala (@bilal_motorwala) May 18, 2016
Seems @ShainaNC Daughter Of Shri Nana Chudasma Lost Her Mental Balance, Comparing #Akbar With Mass Murderer #Hitlerhttps://t.co/wrxMaOQHiq
— bilal motorwala (@bilal_motorwala) May 18, 2016