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Aurangzeb tomb controversy: Why Maharashtra govt cannot remove Aurangzeb's grave

Recently, Maharashtra has been buzzing with controversy surrounding the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, located in Khuldabad, in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. This issue gained momentum after the release of the Bollywood film Chhaava, which depicts the life of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and his struggle against Aurangzeb in the 17th century. The film has sparked widespread discussions. The Aurangzeb controversy blew up more after Samajwadi Party MP Abu Azmi praised the Mughal emperor. In response, right-wing groups and politicians called for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb. This has led to heated protests across the state, particularly from Hindu nationalist groups such as the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Violent incidents were reported, including unrest in Nagpur, following rumors of a desecration of a holy book. Protests took place in several districts including Pune, Kolhapur, Nashik, Malegaon, Nagpur, and Ahilyanagar. In Kolhapur, the VHP even destroyed a mock tomb, while in Pune, the Bajrang Dal organized a demonstration, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and using hammers to express their anger. Amid growing calls for the destruction of Aurangzeb’s tomb, many have questioned whether the Maharashtra government can take action. Can the tomb be demolished? Well, the answer is clear: The Maharashtra government cannot demolish Aurangzeb's tomb. The tomb is a protected monument, listed under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a "Monument of National Importance."