Remove Aurangzeb’s grave, otherwise kar seva in Babri style…, politics heats up in Maharashtra, security of the tomb increased
The controversy over Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in Maharashtra does not seem to end. While the Bollywood film Chhava based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is in the headlines after its release, on the other hand, Hindu organizations in the state have demanded the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave. Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have asked to remove Aurangzeb’s grave. If this does not happen, they have warned of doing Kar Seva in Babri style. In the budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also spoke on the issue of Aurangzeb’s grave. He had said that we also feel that Aurangzeb’s grave should be removed, the grave got ASI protection during the Congress rule, some things have to be done legally. It has also come to light that after the controversy, the number of people visiting this grave has decreased.
Abu Azmi had praised
Earlier, a controversy had arisen in the state regarding Aurangzeb when Samajwadi Party’s big leader and Mumbai’s Mankhurd Shivajinagar MLA Abu Azmi had praised the Mughal ruler. Abu Azmi is on bail in this case and is facing police action. He has been suspended from the entire budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature for praising Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb’s tomb is in Khuldabad in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. It is 25 km away from Aurangabad city. Now the politics of the state has come to a boil after Hindutva organizations demanded the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad in honor of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
Both factions of Shiv Sena face to face
After the release of the film Chhava, the Ubatha and Shiv Sena Shinde factions have come face to face after the controversy over the removal of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad of the district increased. A round of allegations and counter-allegations has started between Ubatha MLA and Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Ambadas Danve and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat. To avoid any kind of disturbance, the administration has further strengthened the security arrangements in the tomb area. Aurangzeb had already told where his grave should be before his death. Aurangzeb had asked to bear the expenses of his grave from the money earned by himself. Aurangzeb’s tomb was first prepared from raw soil. Later Lord Curzon got marble clad on it. Near Aurangzeb’s tomb is the tomb of his son Azam Shah.
Who said what?
- The grave should be removed. Those who love Aurangzeb and his grave can take its remains to their home.
- Sanjay Shirsat (Shiv Sena leader and guardian minister of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district)
- The presence of the grave is a reminder that the Mughal ruler was defeated and buried here.
- Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council (Uddhav Thackeray faction)
Hindu leaders will meet Fadnavis
Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s state minister Kishore Chavan, Bajrang Dal’s state convenor Nitin Mahajan and co-convenor Sandesh Bhegade said in a press conference in Pune that a memorandum will soon be submitted to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding the removal of the grave. They have warned that if the government does not listen to them, then Kar Seva will be done in Babri style. VHP and Bajrang Dal have announced a statewide agitation on March 17. Leaders of Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena have also supported Hindu organizations.
