Aurangzeb's tomb a protected monument, but won't allow its glorification, Says CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has once again asserted that the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Khultabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, is a protected monument, as right-wing organizations demand its removal. "Whether we accept or reject Aurangzeb, his mausoleum is a protected monument. We will not permit anyone to glorify him," Fadnavis said.

He said buildings "outside the realm of law" can be demolished but historical landmarks won't be touched. The request for the destruction of the mausoleum has also kindled tensions and protests, in which the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists turned violent on the streets in Nagpur early this month regarding reports that chadar containing religious inscriptions were set on fire.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray criticized efforts to create religious unrest over the matter. He asked people to read history books and not social media. "Don't we want to tell the world that these people tried to kill the Marathas but were annihilated instead? Stop reading history on WhatsApp and instead read history books," he said.

Thackeray also targeted the tendency to learn history from movies instead of conventional sources. "We have forgotten the actual issues of the current era. Hindus who get up after a movie thinking they are awakened are of no use. Did you become aware of Sambhaji Maharaj's sacrifice due to Vicky Kaushal and Aurangzeb due to Akshaye Khanna?" he asked.

Fadnavis also countered criticism by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He justified the policy as a move towards Indianisation of education, claiming that the British system was meant to produce subordinates, not independent minds. "There should be no opposition to Indianising education. Any patriot would support it. Sonia Gandhi should gather proper information and support this initiative," he said.

Moreover, the Chief Minister framed the major missions of the 2027 Kumbh Mela and focused on upgrading river cleanliness through better wastewater treatment. On the economic front, he declared step-down cuts in power tariffs with an aim to make the power distribution company debt-free within four or five years. The company now has a debt burden of Rs 70,000–80,000 crore.