In yet another twist to Maharashtra’s political landscape, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has thrown his weight behind the growing calls for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. The centuries-old structure, nestled in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, has suddenly found itself at the center of a heated ideological battle.
The demand for its removal gained momentum after a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj openly called for the immediate dismantling of the tomb, citing its symbolic burden on Maharashtra’s historical pride. As expected, the statement has ignited fresh debates on historical narratives, cultural identity, and political opportunism.
Fadnavis, in his characteristic combative style, pointed out that the tomb has been under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since the Congress regime. The irony? Aurangzeb himself reportedly wanted a simple, open-structured grave, and yet, here we are, witnessing a full-fledged political showdown over it centuries later.
The issue has split public opinion, with some arguing that historical monuments, no matter how controversial, should be preserved as reminders of the past. Others believe that honoring Aurangzeb with a protected site in Maharashtra—a land deeply associated with the Maratha resistance against the Mughal empire—is a historical contradiction that needs urgent correction.
Political analysts suggest that this debate is more than just about a tomb—it’s about power, narrative control, and the ever-reliable formula of invoking past rulers to stir contemporary sentiments. With elections looming, the issue is poised to become a lightning rod for political discourse, with parties scrambling to position themselves on the right side of public sentiment.
Meanwhile, the ASI has remained tight-lipped, sticking to its standard protocol of guarding historical sites irrespective of political tempests. Whether the government takes an active step toward declassifying and removing the tomb remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Aurangzeb, even in death, continues to shape India’s political landscape.