When I became a child, I was fascinated with all matters Mughal — Mughal architecture, Mughal rulers, Mughal, sorry, Mughlai cuisine. My 8th popular records books fanned the flames of my fascination with the empire and so did, of course, the Akbar-Birbal comics.
So this morning, after I heard Rajasthan’s BJP leader, Madan Lal Saini accuse Mughal Emperor Akbar — The Great — of ‘molesting girls’, I was completely greatly surprised.
Of route, our politicians have had plenty of foot-in-mouth moments but this turned into in contrast to every other.
This one would probably make historians soar out of their armchairs and my records trainer extremely, extremely sad. The BJP leader alleged that Emperor Akbar might go-get dressed and enter the ‘Meena Bazaar’ that become exclusively intended for girls. He might then allegedly harass them beneath his disguise.
At first, I turned into full of disgust. How can anybody accuse a celebrated Mughal emperor of doing something so heinous and disgraceful? But that was while consciousness dawned upon me — even guys who died masses of years ago and are not remotely close by to defend themselves aren’t safe from such grave accusations.
And why must they be?
Men like Akbar had been a crucial part of India’s ancient discourse. They have been lauded over a long time, and that’s other than all the palaces and the forts and the artwork and the song and the shahi khana et al that became a part of the candies of life they vary a good deal loved. So, the occasional brickbat, even centuries after their passing can be taken off their royal stride.
However, what occurs when an accusation leveled at an ancient parent like Akbar The Great isn’t backed up via records or any proof? Should we nonetheless pay heed to such accusations? Of direction, any allegation of molestation must be treated in all seriousness — but how do we verify that this gentleman from the BJP isn’t always inspired by any bigotry? By perhaps a little bit of hatred for the Muslim historical past?
This entire Akbar-bashing episode reminded me of an article posted a closing year, which argued that the film ‘Padmaavat’ is each upper-caste Hindu male’s fantasy, without a doubt as it portrayed Khilji, a Muslim emperor, in a negative light and upheld the honor of Rajput Hindus.
Guess what? Now, the identical BJP chief who has referred to as Akbar a ‘molester’ has also argued that evaluating Akbar with Maharana Pratap is a ‘mockery of records’.
“To compare such a person with Maharana Pratap is a mockery of history. This will now not inspire destiny generations of the united states of America,” he said.
Somehow, it appears that during warfare among Khiljis and Rajputs, or Akbars and Maharana Pratap, it’s miles continually the Muslim guys who’re accused of being lecherous, evil types, devious beings who can do no appropriate. They are accused of having ‘nawaabi shaunk’ — speak approximately homophobia — as well as a full-time profession of various sexual misconducts.
What’s thrilling to note, however, is that such ancient figures are nonetheless being accused nowadays, as India steps into the 21st century, of committing such heinous acts. Of direction, it indicates that people may die however bigotry lives forever. But there may be a silver lining too — possibly that is also what democracy in nowadays’s day and age involves. The freedom of speech, which gives everybody the proper to talk their thoughts, irrespective of how ignorant their opinions may be. And the energy of such freedom, that could turn the image of a robust and grand Emperor into your nearby Roadside Romeo.
