Security people guard the Aurangzeb’s tomb in Aurangabad.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Coinciding with the birth anniversary celebrations of iconic Maratha warrior-king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Right-wing organisations led by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal launched 'Babri Masjid-type' agitation demanding the razing of tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The demand is going to emerge as the big political issue in Maharashtra and India in the days and months to come.
Meanwhile, security at the grave complex has been beefed up by the State police and entry has been restricted.
Several leaders of the ruling BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has supported the demand.
The right-wing leaders said that they are giving time to the Centre and State to act and remove Aurangzeb's grave, however, if the government fails kar-sevaks would do it.
The issue also rocked during the ongoing budget session of the Maharashtra legislature.
Aurangzeb’s grave/tomb is located in Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, earlier known as Aurangabad.
The tomb of Aurangzeb (November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707), the sixth Mughal emperor, is an unmarked grave in a dargah-complex - and comes under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) asked the government to stop financial aid for upkeep of the tomb.
Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister, said that the grave of Aurangzeb is under the protection of the ASI. “It is the state’s duty to protect it…however, glorification of Aurangzeb would not be tolerated,” he said in the Bhiwandi town of Thane district after dedicating a temple in honour of Shivaji Maharaj.
VHP Secretary in-charge of Maharashtra and Goa, Govind Shende the movement will be carried out step by step, starting with public awareness initiatives. "This includes protests, memorandums, effigy burning, meetings, and awareness programs. The final step will be the Chalo Sambhajinagar march," he said.
Bajrang Dal leader Nitin Mahajan said that not just us, but everyone feels that the grave should be removed. "However, some actions must be taken as per the law," he said.
In a memorandum to CM, the BJP said that any symbol of Aurangzeb is a symbol of pain and slavery and needs to get demolished completely.
Reacting to the demand, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut aired opinion that was contrary.
"Shivaji Maharaj was a brave warrior and he fought to establish Swarajya. Aurangzeb's tomb is in Maharashtra, however, it tells bout the bravery of the Maratha. It reminds that Mughals could not defeat the Marathas," he said.
Sharad Pawar-headed NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar questioned silence of VHP and BD over the the statement of BJP leaders against Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj Mahatma Jyotiba Phule,Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. "They seemed to be sleeping then," he said.
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that Aurangzeb was in Maharashtra for 27 years and could not do anything. "What would they get by removing his grave," he said.