New Delhi, February 25, 2023 (PPI-OT):Narendra Modi-led fascist Indian government in its ongoing attempts to erase the Muslim identity and culture from India has changed the Muslim names of two important cities. The RSS-backed communal Modi regime has approved the renaming of Aurangabad city as ‘Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’ and that of Osmanabad city as ‘Dharashiv’ in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Aurangabad derives its name from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, while Osmanabad was named for a 20th century ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad. Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son of warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the second ruler of the Maratha state founded by his father. Sambhaji Maharaj was executed on Aurangzeb’s orders in 1689.

Dharashiv, the name of a cave complex near Osmanabad, dates back to the 8th century as per some scholars. Hindutva organisations had been demanding renaming of the two cities for long. BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, and tweeted two letters from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs to the deputy secretary of the state General Administration Department dated February 24. The letters stated that the Central government had no objection to the change in the names of these two cities.

Reacting to news, Aurangabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader, Imtiaz Jaleel, tweeted that they will show their strength for Aurangabad. He said, “Aurangabad is, was and will always be our city. Now wait for our show of strength for Aurangabad. A massive Morcha for our beloved city! Get ready Aurangabad is to defeat these forces (BJP) playing politics in the name of our city? We condemn and we will fight.”

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