Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated on Monday that although his government will ensure the safety of Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, it will not accept any efforts to glorify the Mughal emperor.
Addressing a public gathering, Fadnavis described Aurangzeb as a "cruel invader" responsible for forcibly converting Hindus and demolishing numerous temples across Maharashtra. However, he noted that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had designated Aurangzeb's tomb as a protected monument half a century ago, making it the government's responsibility to safeguard the site.
"Aurangzeb was an oppressive occupant who cannot be glorified. Let me clarify that irrespective of anything, this government will never let Aurangzeb's or his tomb's glorification happen. The ASI had declared it a protected monument 50 years ago. This, sadly, becomes the responsibility of the government to protect it," Fadnavis said. He also warned that any such efforts to glorify Aurangzeb would be taken sternly.
His comments follow demonstrations by Hindu groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, who have demanded the structure be taken down. They have even threatened to destroy it in a similar way to the Babri Masjid if the state government does not act.
Fadnavis last week showed support for the removal of the structure from Sambhajinagar, previously Aurangabad, but noted that its protected status under ASI rules bars the government from taking such action. His reaction followed a letter by BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale to him, calling for the grave's removal.
The row went deeper on Sunday when Maharashtra Congress Chief Harshvardhan Sapkal ignited a political firestorm when he likened Fadnavis's administration to Aurangzeb's reign.
"Aurangzeb was an inhuman ruler. Aurangzeb imprisoned his own father. Moreover, Aurangzeb always sought the assistance of religion. Devendra Fadnavis is as inhuman as of today. He always seeks the assistance of religion. Hence, the governance of Aurangzeb and Devendra Fadnavis is no different," Sapkal said.
The controversy surrounding Aurangzeb flared up last month when Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi called the Mughal emperor a good administrator who had been misrepresented in history. After his remarks, several police complaints were filed against him. Azmi has now obtained anticipatory bail from a Mumbai court to avoid arrest.
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