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Devendra Fadnavis questioned the need to preserve the tomb of a ruler responsible for the suffering of thousands, stating that Maharashtra should instead honour the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Fadnavis’s statement has sparked widespread protests across Maharashtra, with Hindu organisations, including the Bajrang Dal, intensifying their demand for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. (PTI Image)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday inaugurated the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Temple in Bhiwandi, using the occasion to make a strong statement against the glorification of Aurangzeb’s tomb. He questioned the need to preserve the tomb of a ruler responsible for the suffering of thousands, stating that Maharashtra should instead honour the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Expressing his displeasure over the situation, he remarked that it was unfortunate for both the state and Central governments to bear the responsibility of maintaining Aurangzeb’s tomb. Fadnavis further assured the people of Maharashtra that any attempt to glorify Aurangzeb would be firmly opposed and crushed.
The chief minister’s statement has sparked widespread protests across the state, with Hindu organisations, including the Bajrang Dal, intensifying their demand for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). Demonstrators in Kolhapur staged a symbolic protest by carrying a mock tomb in a tempo and destroying it with hammers, sending a strong message against the historical figure’s remembrance. The agitation soon escalated into a confrontation with the police, who intervened and confiscated the vehicle carrying the symbolic tomb. Addressing the media, Bajrang Dal district president Kundan Patil questioned why Aurangzeb’s tomb should be preserved, stating that if a symbolic tomb was unacceptable, then the real one had no place either.
In response to the growing unrest, security has been significantly tightened around Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad town, with police deploying additional personnel and setting up iron barricades at the site’s main entrance. Vehicle movement in certain areas has also been restricted to prevent any untoward incidents. Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have called for a ‘Kar Seva’, urging people to come forward and support their demand for the tomb’s removal. The situation remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring developments to prevent further escalation.
The controversy has also triggered sharp political reactions, with leaders from different parties taking opposing stands. Congress leader Bhai Jagtap dismissed the demand for the tomb’s removal, arguing that Maharashtra should take pride in the fact that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj prevented Aurangzeb from ruling the region for 27 years. He criticised those using the issue for political gain. On the other hand, BJP leader Ram Kadam supported the protests, emphasising that glorifying a tyrannical ruler like Aurangzeb was unacceptable and that his tomb should be removed.
Responding to Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal’s controversial comparison of Fadnavis to Aurangzeb, Kadam accused the Opposition of making irresponsible statements to appease their central leadership.
Sapkal on Sunday said, “Aurangzeb was a cruel ruler. Today, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is an equally cruel ruler. He always supports issues related to religion but does nothing about cases like the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh”. Congress leader Bhai Jagtap, however, refuted the allegations, claiming that Sapkal never made such a statement.
With public sentiment rising and political parties taking firm positions, the issue continues to gain momentum, setting the stage for further debates and demonstrations in the coming days.
