- By Sahelee Rakshit
- Mon, 10 Mar 2025 07:21 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that everyone believes Mughal ruler Aurangzeb's tomb at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar should be razed but it must be done legally because the previous Congress regime put the site under ASI's protection. The CM said this during an event on Saturday night. Udayanraje Bhosale, a Satara MP for the BJP and a descendant of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had demanded that Aurangzeb's tomb in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district be removed.
Asked about Bhosale's demand, Fadnavis said, "We all also want the same thing, but you need to do it within the framework of the law, because it is a protected site. The site was put under ASI's (Archaeological Survey of India) protection during the Congress regime some years back."
Notably, Abu Asim Azmi, a Maharashtra MLA for the Samajwadi Party, recently caused a stir with his praise of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Azmi's comments praising Aurangzeb last week resulted in his suspension from the Maharashtra legislative assembly till the end of the budget session on March 26.
What Is The Row Over Mughal Ruler's Tomb?
A portion of right-wing groups, BJP leaders, and the descendants of legendary Maratha warrior-king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj are calling for the removal of the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, which is turning into a significant political issue in Maharashtra. The tomb of Aurangzeb is situated at Khuldabad, which was once known as Aurangabad, in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The tomb of Aurangzeb (November 3, 1618 - March 3, 1707), the sixth Mughal emperor, is an unmarked burial in a dargah complex that is under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), a right-wing group, has petitioned the government to discontinue providing financial assistance for the tomb's care.
Aurangzeb's Tomb Row: Key Updates
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has supported demands to remove Mughal King Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. However, he said that the task must be done legally as the previous Congress regime put the site under ASI's protection.
- Udayanraje Bhosale, a BJP MP from Satara and a descendant of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has urged that Aurangzeb's tomb be removed from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Fadnavis responded to Bhosale's demand by emphasising the importance of following legal procedures.
- Nitesh Rane, the State Ports and Fisheries Minister, has also called for the razing of Aurangzeb's tomb. “It is everybody’s opinion that the grave of Aurangzeb should be razed,” he said.
- The argument over Aurangzeb's legacy gathered pace after Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi's statements about the Mughal emperor stirred outrage. The MLA praised the Mughal ruler while discussing the portrayal of Aurangzeb in the Bollywood film 'Chhava', claiming that history had been misrepresented.
- After severe backlash, Abu Azmi has issued a clarification addressing the uproar around his 'Aurangzeb' remark. In his clarification, Abu Azmi said that his words have been "twisted", and also sought apology for hurting religious sentiments.
- Abu Asim Azmi on Wednesday was suspended from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the ongoing Budget session. Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Chandrakant Patil moved the motion of suspension in the House, which was passed by a voice vote.
- Members of the ruling Mahayuti (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) said Aurangzeb's praise amounted to an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.