Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra, stating that only those who have faith in the Mughal ruler should visit his grave.
“Those who have faith in him go there (to his tomb). I don’t know who has faith in him or not. In our tradition, we don’t worry much about the person after death,” Joshi remarked.
Political Row Over Aurangzeb’s Grave
The issue of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has led to a major political stir. On March 18, BJP and Shiv Sena MLAs staged a protest outside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, demanding the removal of the tomb.
The controversy escalated into violence in Nagpur on March 17, with unidentified individuals vandalizing shops, setting vehicles on fire, and pelting stones in the Hansapuri area. This followed an earlier clash in the Mahal area, further heightening tensions.
Nagpur Violence: 114 Detained, 13 Cases Registered
More than 114 people have been detained, and 13 cases registered in connection with the March 17 riots, which were reportedly fuelled by rumors of a holy ‘chadar’ being burned.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal stated:
“Action is continuously being taken against those involved in the incident. Thirteen cases have been filed, and more than 114 accused have been detained. In a few instances, the accused were from outside, while some were from Nagpur.”
Demolition of Accused’s Properties
On Monday, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s anti-encroachment squad demolished illegal constructions at the homes of Yusuf Sheikh and Faheem Khan, both accused in the riots case.
The unrest was fuelled by demands to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb, with reports of stone-pelting at police personnel and rumors of a holy book being burned during the agitation.
CM Fadnavis: 92 Arrested So Far
On March 22, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that at least 92 individuals had been arrested in connection with the violence.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as tensions persist over the issue.