Maharashtrian tourists assault Muslim guide at Agra Fort for stating Shivaji was held captive
Agra: A Muslim tour guide was assaulted and humiliated by a group of tourists from Maharashtra at Agra Fort after he stated that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was once held captive there. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated on social media, shows the tourists pushing the guide, Sageer Baig, to the ground and forcing him to rub his nose before a statue of Shivaji.
The altercation reportedly began when Baig shared historical details about Shivaji’s captivity at the fort, a well-documented event from 1666. The tourists accused him of distorting history, despite his statement being consistent with recorded accounts. They then compelled him to apologise before letting him go.
Shivaji and his son, Sambhaji, were taken captive at Agra Fort by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb after the Treaty of Purandar in 1665. The treaty resulted in Shivaji ceding several forts to the Mughals. However, he was placed under house arrest during a visit to Aurangzeb’s court and later made a daring escape hidden inside a fruit basket.
The attack on the guide has sparked concerns over increasing intolerance in historical discourse, particularly amid heightened debates on Shivaji’s legacy following the release of Chhaava, a historical action film on his son Sambhaji Maharaj.
In UP's Agra, group of tourists from Maharashtra made guide Sageer Baig to rub his nose to ground before Shivaji's statue at Agra fort.The tourists got angry as the guide was explaining historical facts.They got angry because the guide stated Shivaji was held hostage in Agra fort pic.twitter.com/jg4i6XsNUq
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
