Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that his government ‘would protect Aurangzeb’s grave as duty’ in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar but now allow its glorification. The chief minister’s reaction came amid a Hindu outfit threatening to demolish the grave. The security has been tightened by the authorities.
While speaking at a gathering, Fadnavis said, “ If there is a Mahima Mandan (Glorification), it would be of Shivaji Maharaj’s temple not of Aurangzeb’s tomb.” The chief minister said that if it is ASI protected, then it is the duty of the state government and Centre to protect it, but no glorification of the grave.
On the other hand, Reacting to the demands by Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal to remove Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut asserted that the tomb is a symbol of the bravery of Marathas, and future generations should know about it.
Sanjay Raut said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a brave warrior and he fought to establish Swarajya. Aurangzeb’s tomb is there in Maharashtra but this memorial tells about the bravery of Marathas. The next generation should know how the Marathas fought against the Mughals. They could not gain victory over the Marathas and finally a tomb was built. Now, people who do not have knowledge of history are asking to remove the tomb.”
He further said that the agitation should be on inflation and farmers who are dying by suicide.
“When the government is being run by RSS, then what is the need to protest? Issue a notification and remove the grave. Who has stopped PM Modi and CM Devendra Fadnavis from removing the tomb? They should stop this drama of protest. Even after the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb fought for 25 years but could not defeat the Marathas,” he added.
