Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s endorsement of the demand to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, has sparked fresh controversy. His deputy, Eknath Shinde, has also backed the move, citing Aurangzeb’s historical atrocities and efforts to subjugate India. However, the state government faces a legal hurdle: the previous Congress administration designated the tomb as a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Congress’s decision to protect Aurangzeb’s tomb was driven by its long-standing politics of minority appeasement. The party, once the dominant force in Indian politics, has been losing ground since Indira Gandhi’s Emergency—a turning point in its decline. Even after being temporarily unseated by the Janata Party, Congress regained power twice, first under Indira Gandhi and later under Rajiv Gandhi, due to internal conflicts and personal ambitions among opposition leaders. This pattern of political expediency continues today. The Janata Party, despite its professed inclusivity, sidelined leaders from marginalized communities. A prime example was Dalit leader Babu Jagjivan Ram, who was overlooked for leadership despite being the most senior figure after Morarji Desai in the newly formed Janata Party. Today’s Congress mirrors this trend—veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge was installed as a token party president while real power remains concentrated elsewhere. The BJP and its allies, including Shinde’s breakaway Shiv Sena faction and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), now see an opportunity to undo what they view as a historical wrong. The renaming of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was a symbolic victory.
Now, the push to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb is framed as the next logical step in honouring Maratha’s pride. For centuries, Aurangzeb has been vilified for his brutal policies, including temple destructions, the imposition of jizya tax, and the execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. His reign remains a sore point in the collective memory of many Indians, particularly the Marathas, who suffered under his rule. However, weaponizing this historical narrative for political gains raises concerns. The latest controversy erupted when Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi dismissed historical accounts of Aurangzeb’s actions as distortions, triggering outrage. His suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly’s budget session reflects the growing anti-Aurangzeb sentiment. Calls for his permanent disqualification are gaining traction, further deepening political divisions. With a decisive majority in the Maharashtra Assembly, the BJP-led alliance has the legislative power to revoke the Congress-era decision and strip the tomb of its ASI-protected status. However, such a move will likely face legal and political pushback from Congress and other opposition parties, who will frame it as an assault on secularism and minority rights. This situation mirrors the heated debates preceding the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir. At the time, opponents warned of dire consequences, yet the Modi government proceeded, fundamentally altering the region’s political landscape. Will the Maharashtra government now show similar resolve despite potential backlash? The call to demolish Aurangzeb’s tomb is not just about history—it is about contemporary politics and identity. The BJP and Shiv Sena see it as a step toward rectifying historical injustices, while opponents argue it fuels divisive politics. As the Fadnavis-Shinde government weighs its options, the nation watches closely. Will this be a bold step toward reclaiming history or just another chapter in the endless cycle of political manoeuvring?
