Aurangzeb’s 300-year-old tomb, located in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, has become a contentious issue, triggering communal tensions in Nagpur and Mumbai. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appear to have differing views on the matter. While the BJP has taken a strong stance against the tomb, the RSS has downplayed the controversy.
Senior RSS member Suresh Bhaiyaji Joshi on Monday stated that, “the topic of Aurangzeb’s tomb raises "This debate over Aurangzeb is unnecessary. He lived, passed away, and a tomb was built for him. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, known for his ideals, even had a tomb constructed for Afzal Khan. This stands as one of the greatest examples of India's generosity. the tomb remains there; those who wish to visit may do so."
Notably, earlier, CM Devendra Fadnavis reaffirmed his opposition to the "glorification" of the Mughal emperor's tomb, a contentious issue among Hindutva supporters. However, he acknowledged that Aurangzeb's tomb remains a protected monument under the ASI. Fadnavis, who had previously called it "unfortunate" that the government had to guard the site, appeared to diverge in tone from Joshi. The chief minister stated, "Whether we like it or not, it is our duty to uphold the law. However, we will not permit any glorification there under any circumstances."
Also, there are Hindutva Sanghatana like Bajarang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested across the state for the demolition of the tomb, which resulted into the communal violence in the Mahal, Nagpur district of Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, in his Gudi Padwa speech, questioned the sudden uproar over the tomb. “Why has everyone suddenly remembered to demolish the tomb today? If future generations need to know the history of the Marathas, that tomb is proof of what we did with our enemies,” he remarked. Thackeray opposed the idea of demolition and suggested that visiting Aurangzeb’s and Shaista Khan’s tombs would help people understand Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.
