V K Singh reignites Akbar vs Maharana Pratap row

June 02, 2016 10:46

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh last month triggered a row when he asked the government to rename Akbar Road in Lutyens' Delhi as Maharana Pratap Road because the Rajput king "had not been given his due" despite being "truly secular and a man of masses".

While Bharatiya Janata Party leaders like Subramanian Swamy hailed the demand, saying that there are a disproportionate number of roads named after Muslim conquers, the Union minister's remarks led to furore from all corners and the government was on the back foot.

Eventually, Urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu dismissed the whole issue saying, "It's not on my agenda. My priority is to make cities a better place and to provide good governance".

On Wednesday, the External Affairs MoS reignited the controversy with a Facebook post where he wrote: "Maharana Pratap united 36 communities, Akbar who is considered great killed 25,000 innocent men, women and children of Mewar."

If you speak up for Hindus, then self styled seculars will target you. Outside forces have always divided India to rule. Self styled seculars defend Akbar on din-e-Ilahi."

"If we can have a road named after Akbar, then why not memorial after Lord Clive and Lord Dalhousie too."

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