PANAJI
Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Friday stoked a controversy after claiming that people were not interested in visiting the palace of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb and that, the only ones interested were the tourists.
The Raj Bhavan in association with the Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha Betim Goa celebrated the 400th Prakash Parab (Birth Anniversary) of the ninth Guru of Sikhs, Saheb Shri Guru Tegh Bahadurji at Darbar hall of Raj Bhavan. The governor was the host at the function and had invited Sikh community to celebrate the 400th Prakash Purab at the Raj Bhavan.
While recalling the sacrifice of Sikhs and Sikh Gurus, Pillai said: "Aurangzeb’s burial place is in Maharashtra. People are not interested to visit the doorsteps of Aurangzeb who has harassed many, only tourists visit this place. Sincerely, people are not interested in visiting the place,” said Pillai, adding that Aurangzeb had killed his brothers.
During the function, the governor lauded the contribution of the Sikh community to society particularly during the Covid pandemic.
He also recalled the Sikh community’s sacrifices during India's Independence and Goa's Liberation. The Governor stated that Goans must be grateful for their contribution.
Recently, the governor it may be recalled, had briefly waded into the history of the Taj Mahal but steered clear of the ongoing controversy over the monument.
The controversy was raked up by right-wing organisations over the monument relates to the claim that it was allegedly built on land which previously housed temples.
