Mumbai: Shivaji Jayanti is an occasion to remember the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who shaped Indian history with his valour and vision. However, in a fiery editorial, Shiv Sena UBT mouthpiece Saamana criticised certain fringe groups advocating for the destruction of Aurangzeb’s tomb, comparing it to the Babri Masjid demolition. The editorial argues that such demands distort history, insult Maharashtra’s warrior tradition and attempt to turn Hindutva into extremism.

According to report, those calling for the tomb’s destruction are enemies of Maharashtra’s proud legacy. “They wish to poison the state’s atmosphere and present themselves as Hindu Taliban,” the editorial states, adding that such actions misrepresent Hindutva and disrespect the ideals of Shivaji Maharaj’s Hindavi Swarajya.

The editorial revisits history, stressing that Shivaji Maharaj and the Marathas fought against oppression for 25 years, ultimately ensuring that Aurangzeb met his end in Maharashtra, exhausted and defeated. The presence of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra, it argues, is not a mark of Mughal dominance but a symbol of the Marathas’ resilience.

Historical Context & Legacy of Aurangzeb’s Tomb

Aurangzeb waged a long campaign to conquer the Deccan, arriving in Maharashtra in 1681 with an army of eight lakh. His ambition was to establish a ‘second Delhi’ in the region and crush the Marathas. He stayed in Maharashtra for 24 years, struggling to subdue the Marathas.

Despite his vast military resources, he failed. The editorial cites historical records describing his grand procession into Maharashtra, complete with European artillerymen, hill warriors and war elephants, only to be relentlessly resisted by Maratha forces.

Aurangzeb died in 1707 in what is now known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), a broken man who could not achieve his goal of crushing the Maratha Empire. Saamana states that his tomb stands as a testament to his failure and the Marathas’ ultimate victory.

Calls For Political Action

The editorial strongly urges Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to put an end to what it calls ‘shameful attempts’ to use Shivaji Maharaj’s name for divisive politics. It warns against those trying to erase historical monuments for their own agendas. Instead of destruction, it advocates for understanding and preserving history.

The piece also recalls a historical anecdote involving PM Lad, a senior official in the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. When confronted by leaders questioning Maharashtra’s importance, he would tell them to visit Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The tomb, he believed, symbolised Maratha courage and the Mughal Empire’s downfall.

A Call For True Hindutva

While Saamana acknowledges Aurangzeb’s brutality, it argues that true Hindutva, as exemplified by Shivaji Maharaj, is about honour, tolerance and wisdom, not blind destruction. It calls for Maharashtra’s youth to learn real history instead of engaging in provocative acts that undermine the state’s glorious past.

The editorial concludes by stating that Aurangzeb’s tomb is not a sign of Mughal victory but a reminder of how Maharashtra outlasted and defeated one of the most powerful rulers in history. In a scathing attack against the Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, the editorial ends with, “Chief Minister Fadnavis should shut down this shameful business running in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!”

Mumbai: Reacting to the controversy surrounding Aurangzeb’s grave in Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) and Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal’s demand to remove it, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday said that Bajrang Dal and VHP don’t want the people of Maharashtra to live peacefully.

“They (VHP and Bajrang Dal) are left with nothing else to do…They don’t want the people of Maharashtra to live peacefully…They want to slow the development pace of the state…I would like to say to them that Aurangzeb was here for 27 years, and he was not able to do anything to the state; now, what will they get after the removal of his grave,” Wadettiwar told media.

Congress National Spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil said that the situation is tense in Maharashtra, adding that law and order have collapsed in the state.

“Farmers are committing suicide not getting electricity and water… Unemployment has increased… To hide all of these issues, the BJP comes up with new issues of Hindus and Muslims… They diverted people from PF and pension schemes to the share market… and now, within 5 months, the common man has become poor… The people are entangled in historical topics to divert their attention from the main issues… The people are not going to fall for it this time. They have to discuss the real issues,” Patil said.

Earlier on Saturday, Bajrang Dal leader Nitin Mahajan demanded the removal of the Aurangzeb tomb in Sambhajinagar and said that if the government fails to do so, then the tomb will meet the same fate like Babri Masjid.

“In Sambhajinagar, a (Aurangzeb’s grave) grave is being worshipped. The grave of Sambhaji’s murderer is being built… When such graves are worshipped, then the society also develops in that manner… At that time, we were helpless…but now Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal are demanding that it should be removed… On March 17, we will demand to the government that it should be removed… We will greet the government if they remove it, but if that does not happen, then VHP and Bajrang Dal will come out on the streets and launch a huge agitation,” Nitin Mahajan told media.

“And we know what happens when the Hindu community carries out an agitation concerning its existence, we all saw what happened in Ayodhya to remove the Babri structure… If the government does not remove the grave, then we will do Karseva and do so ourselves,” he added.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh had written a letter to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking detailed information regarding the funds allocated and spent by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the maintenance of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb, located in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district.

The letter dated March 15, reads, “I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to seek detailed information regarding the funds allocated and spent by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the maintenance of Aurangzeb’s tomb, located in Chhatrapati Sambha ji Nagar district, Maharashtra.”

In the letter, Singh sought a detailed explanation on the total amount spent by the ASI on the tomb over the years, year-wise expenditure details incurred on maintenance, security, and other related aspects.

The BJP MLA further sought justification for continued government spending on the tomb of Aurangzeb, a ruler who was responsible for the “destruction” of our temples, the killing of Hindu kings, and the “suppression” of culture.

Singh urged the Central government to consider halting any further expenditure on Aurangzeb’s tomb immediately.

“It is my strong belief that not a single rupee of taxpayer money should be spent on maintaining the tomb of a tyrant who caused immense suffering to our ancestors. The government should consider halting any further expenditure on this site immediately, as it holds no relevance to our cultural heritage and history of valor,” it stated.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded action from the government against Shiv Sena Shinde faction member Sanjay Nirupam.

He said that Sanjay Nirupam sees hostility towards Muslims everywhere. If a Muslim builder builds a housing society and building, it is housing jihad. Similarly, Sanjay Nirupam is furious over the Muslim Personal Law Board’s announcement to build Shaheen Bagh to protect the properties of the Waqf Board. He says that if Shaheen Bagh is built, then Jallianwala Bagh will be built.

Azmi said that the country got independence only after the sacrifice in Jallianwala Bagh. Sanjay Nirupam should not forget this. He said that now the matter of giving Malhar certificate has been abandoned, while mutton and meat are bought from Muslims. Such certificates are being issued to destroy and ruin Muslims economically and to weaken them economically. We will agitate for this, we cannot step back from this, it is our duty.