Recently, Maharashtra has been buzzing with controversy surrounding the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, located in Khuldabad, in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. This issue gained momentum after the release of the Bollywood film Chhaava, which depicts the life of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and his struggle against Aurangzeb in the 17th century. The film has sparked widespread discussions. The Aurangzeb controversy blew up more after Samajwadi Party MP Abu Azmi praised the Mughal emperor. In response, right-wing groups and politicians called for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb. This has led to heated protests across the state, particularly from Hindu nationalist groups such as the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Violent incidents were reported, including unrest in Nagpur, following rumors of a desecration of a holy book. Protests took place in several districts including Pune, Kolhapur, Nashik, Malegaon, Nagpur, and Ahilyanagar. In Kolhapur, the VHP even destroyed a mock tomb, while in Pune, the Bajrang Dal organized a demonstration, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and using hammers to express their anger. Amid growing calls for the destruction of Aurangzeb’s tomb, many have questioned whether the Maharashtra government can take action. Can the tomb be demolished? Well, the answer is clear: The Maharashtra government cannot demolish Aurangzeb's tomb. The tomb is a protected monument, listed under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a "Monument of National Importance."
20 March,2025 05:56 PM IST
The controversy over Aurangzeb's tomb has sparked a nationwide debate. On March 18, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde made a strong statement, saying that no one in Maharashtra will accept those who support Aurangzeb. His comments come as the debate continues to grow, with many people divided over Aurangzeb's legacy in Indian history. The issue has led to protests and discussions among different political groups, with some opposing the honor given to historical figures like Aurangzeb, while others believe his role in history should be recognized.
18 March,2025 04:34 PM IST
On March 17, members of the Bajrang Dal staged a protest in front of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb located in Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). The demonstrators were seen raising slogans against the government, calling for action on the matter. The protest comes after Bajrang Dal leader Nitin Mahajan made a public demand for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in the region. This call for action has been supported by other political and religious groups, including Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam. Nirupam backed the demand from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the tomb's removal, stating that such a demand was not unreasonable given the ongoing debate in the country over Aurangzeb’s historical actions. In response to the protests and growing tension around the issue, security forces have been deployed at the site of Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to maintain law and order. This controversy highlights the ongoing debates over historical figures and their legacies, with some groups calling for changes to the public memory associated with them. The Maharashtra government has yet to make any official statement regarding the demand.
17 March,2025 05:14 PM IST
AIMIM Bihar president and MLA Akhtarul Iman reacted to the suspension of Maharashtra SP MLA Abu Azmi over his statement on Aurangzeb. Iman criticized the BJP, saying they use politics of hatred for political gain. He called Aurangzeb a noble emperor who lived simply, earning his livelihood by stitching caps, and didn't misuse taxpayers' money. He said Aurangzeb served the country, unifying India from Afghanistan to Burma (Myanmar), and treated both temples and mosques equally. Iman questioned why a controversy was being created over this. He urged the Supreme Court to take suo-motu action against such governments, calling the suspension of Abu Azmi unconstitutional.
06 March,2025 05:53 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
