Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed his support for calls to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
However, he emphasised that any such action must be carried out within the legal framework, as the site is currently protected under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Fadnavis pointed out that the tomb was brought under ASI’s protection during the Congress-led government’s tenure, implying that its status was a decision made under their rule.
Speaking in Mumbai on Saturday, he reiterated that while many people support the demand for its removal, legal procedures must be followed.
His statement came in response to remarks made by BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a direct descendant of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Bhosale had urged the government to take steps to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb from Maharashtra, arguing that its existence was an insult to the legacy of the Marathas.
The controversy over Aurangzeb’s legacy resurfaced last week after Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi praised the Mughal emperor.
Azmi claimed that Aurangzeb had built temples and was not a cruel ruler, a statement that drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders and other political figures.
Azmi’s remarks sparked outrage, with several BJP leaders calling for strict action against him. Former MP Navneet Rana joined the chorus, demanding that Aurangzeb’s grave be removed from Maharashtra.
She also strongly criticised Azmi for glorifying the Mughal ruler.
Following the backlash, Abu Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly until the end of the budget session on March 26.
His suspension was seen as a direct consequence of his controversial remarks, which many BJP leaders and supporters viewed as an attempt to distort historical facts.
The debate over Aurangzeb’s legacy has long been a contentious issue in Maharashtra, where the Maratha empire, led by Shivaji Maharaj and later by his successors, fought against Mughal rule.
Many in the state see Aurangzeb as a symbol of oppression, making his tomb’s presence in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar a sensitive subject.
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