5 hours Ago By TOI News Desk
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis NEW DELHI: Maharashtra's chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that everyone is in favor of removing Mughal king Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar but legal constraints exist as the Congress government previously placed the site under the Archaeological Survey of India 's protection. These remarks were made during a Saturday evening function. The matter gained attention after BJP 's Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale , who descends from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, advocated for the removal of the Mughal king's tomb situated in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Responding to Bhosale's request, Fadnavis clarified that despite sharing similar sentiments, actions must conform to legal procedures due to the site's protected status, which was established during the previous Congress administration. Fadnavis said, "We all also want the same thing, but you need to do it within the framework of the law, because it is a protected site. The site was put under ASI's (Archaeological Survey of India) protection during the Congress regime some years back.
" These remarks came after Samajwadi Party's Maharashtra MLA Abu Asim Azmi recently stirred controversy with his comments praising the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Subsequently, Azmi faced suspension from the Maharashtra legislative assembly until the conclusion of the budget session on March 26, following his statements in support of Aurangzeb. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi found himself in the center of a heated controversy following his remarks in praise of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
Azmi, who represents the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency, made the comments while discussing historical portrayals in the Bollywood movie Chhava. Azmi claimed that history had been misrepresented and that Aurangzeb was not a cruel ruler. "Wrong history is being shown.
Aurangzeb built many temples. I do not consider him a cruel ruler. The battle between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb was about state administration, not about a religious conflict between Hindus and Muslims," Azmi said.
The BJP has maintained a firm position against Aurangzeb's glorification and endorsed demands to remove his tomb. The party's leadership emphasises that Aurangzeb's historical impact remains disputed, especially in Maharashtra, where he ordered the killing of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to PTI, Fadnavis has stated that whilst his administration understands public sentiment regarding the tomb's removal, all actions must follow established legal protocols.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) oversees Aurangzeb's tomb, which is notably understated compared to other Mughal structures. ASI regulations protect the site, requiring formal procedures for any alterations or removal, thus creating legal complexities. Stay updated with the latest India news , weather forecast for major cities like Delhi , Mumbai , Noida , and Bengaluru on Times of India .
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