Aurangzeb Tomb Row: A Box-Office Hit Triggers A Political Flashpoint

The sleepy town of Khuladabad in Sambhajinagar district of Marathwada has once again been jolted awake by a raging controversy. In the narrow lanes of the town's historical quarter, a white-washed Sufi shrine has become a target for Hindutva extremists, as it contains the burial site of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, along with his wife and son.

Three centuries after his death, Aurangzeb continues to haunt Hindutva forces, who are rallying to wipe off all evidence of the existence of the Mughal ruler. The latest round rides on the back of the box-office success of Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava, which tells the story of Sambhaji Bhosale, Shivaji라이브 바카라 eldest son and second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, who died a brutal death at the hands of Aurangzeb. Right-wing Hindu organisations have now raised fresh demands to demolish Aurangzeb's tomb in Khuladabad, which is under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Following the spate of threats, the ASI and local authorities have heightened security near the Sufi shrine in Khuladabad. The tomb itself is built on a simple stone platform, bereft of any adornments. It is believed to have been constructed after his death by the disciples of revered Sufi saint Zain Ud Din. 

“Aurangzeb is a symbol of our past colonisation. We have already changed the names of places after him, so why should we allow his tomb라이브 바카라 existence in our state. Hindus have now awakened and we will not tolerate any humiliation of Hindu pride,” said Govind Shende, head of Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Maharashtra. 

On the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, (as per Hindu traditions of tithi) on March 17, the VHP and Bajrang Dal have launched a campaign demanding the removal of Aurangzeb라이브 바카라 tomb from the state. 

“We will hold peaceful protests across the state by presenting district authorities with an appeal to remove the tomb. If there is no response from the government, our last step will be to take action in our hands,” Shende said. 

The demand has already received an in-principle nod from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and top leaders of the ruling Mahayuti (BJP and Shiv Sena-Shinde faction) who strongly believe that the grave should be demolished. Shinde Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat from Sambhajinagar said there have been several demonstrations in the past for the removal of the grave. “We will be satisfied if his existence is removed from this place.” 

In June 2022, the district till then known as Aurangabad was renamed by the then Uddhav Thackeray-led Mahavikas government to Sambhajinagar. After coming to power with an overwhelming majority, the BJP is now aiming to chart its own legacy on Maratha history by making Aurangzeb라이브 바카라 grave in the district a target. 

However, the Bhartiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena라이브 바카라 overwhelming support for the destruction of the Mughal emperor's grave has created an uncomfortable position for its Mahayuti alliance partner, the Nationalist Congress Party.  

The NCP which claims a secular ideology and enjoys support from the native Muslim communities in Marathwada and Western Maharashtra region, has officially distanced itself from the BJP and Shiv Sena라이브 바카라 stance. Earlier, the NCP had maintained a muted response following the suspension of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for his contentious statement praising Aurangzeb as a ‘good administrator.’ 

“NCP라이브 바카라 agreement with the ruling Mahayuti alliance is on the development plank, we will stand by with our alliance partners on all matters of Maharashtra라이브 바카라 development. But on certain issues we have a difference of opinion and we stand by it,” said NCP spokesperson Anand Paranjpe. “It (grave) is an ASI protected monument and the Maharashtra government cannot take action in this regard. The decision has to be made by the Central government. Instead of protesting in Maharashtra, the BJP members should take their agitation to Delhi.” 

Paranjpe added that there is no doubt that Aurangzeb was a cruel ruler who destroyed Hindu temples, but raking up this issue 300 years after his death was uncalled for.

Congress MLA Harshvardhan Sapkal, meanwhile, claimed the BJP government was acting like the Taliban by playing politics over Aurangzeb. “Every year, we burn the effigy of Raavan, as a tribute to Ram라이브 바카라 bravery. In the same context, Aurangzeb is a symbol of the bravery of the great Marathas and Mavlas who protected this territory from the Mughals.”

Sapkal noted that for centuries Shivaji라이브 바카라 resting place remained unknown until it was discovered by social reformer Jyotirao Phule, who discovered the samadhi (mausoleum) at Raigad Fort. “But there are attempts to take that credit away from him. The government should instead take action against such elements,” he said. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat had earlier credited Lokmanya Tilak for finding the samadhi.

Historian Vishwas Patil noted that Shivaji was a great Hindu ruler who looked after his Muslim subjects too and enrolled several Muslim commanders in his army. After the famous battle of Pratapgarh, where he tricked the mighty Mughal ruler Afzal Khan into an embrace and killed him with the sharp tiger claw weapon, Shivaji also donated a piece of land for Khan라이브 바카라 tomb. “Shivaji reminded his ministers and troops that one should not harbour enmity after a person라이브 바카라 death. When this gospel was preached by Shivaji himself and is well documented in history, it will be foolish to remove Aurangzeb라이브 바카라 grave,” he said.