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The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Hindu seer urges removal of Aurangzeb's tomb
Shankaracharya Pragyananand Saraswati Maharaj of the Dwarka Sharda Jyotish Peeth has called upon Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, along with other graves of what he described as 'invaders,' asserting that it is the CM's 'foremost duty'. In a televised interview with a vernacular news channel on Tuesday, the seer warned that if the State government did not act, adherents of Sanatana Dharma would be compelled to intervene directly. 'You have preserved land for Aurangzeb, whose ideological descendants — now fundamentalists and extremists — are attacking Hindus,' he said. 'The first responsibility of Devendra Fadnavis is to remove and eliminate the graves of Aurangzeb and other invaders from Maharashtra. If the government does not act, SanatanaDharmis will be forced to step forward,' he said. The remarks come amid simmering communal sensitivities. Tensions escalated in March following renewed demands for the demolition of Aurangzeb's tomb in Khultabad, near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which prompted the deployment of additional security. Violence subsequently broke out in Nagpur's Mahal area on March 17, after unverified rumours circulated about the desecration of a religious text during a right-wing demonstration. Aurangzeb continues to be a polarising historical figure in Maharashtra, chiefly due to his repressive measures against the Maratha resistance, including the execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. When asked about the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the seer characterised it as an assault on Sanatana Dharma, which he claimed embodies inclusivity. 'Today, Hindus are unable to safeguard their lives. Islam, which once received refuge in this land, is now taking those very lives,' he said. The Shankaracharya also dismissed arguments that Aurangzeb's tomb holds historical value as part of the Maratha legacy. Drawing a parallel with Uttar Pradesh, he urged CM Fadnavis to take a more assertive approach akin to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's stance on 'anti-national and anti-religious elements'. 'Why does the tomb still exist? That chapter of history — one that desecrated our temples and persecuted our revered leaders — should have been expunged long ago. Aurangzeb's legacy has no place in this nation,' he said.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Removing tombs of Aurangzeb, other invaders first duty of CM Fadnavis: Dwarka Peeth Shakaracharya
Nagpur: Hindu seer Pragyananand Saraswati Maharaj has said the "first duty" of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was to remove the tombs of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and other invaders from the state. The Shakaracharya (head) of the Dwarka Sharda Jyotish Peeth also said that if the government fails to carry out this task, then the followers of Sanatan Dharm will have to take it upon themselves to do so. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack PM Modi-led 'Super Cabinet' reviews J&K security arrangements Pakistan's General Asim Munir is itching for a fight. Are his soldiers willing? India planning to launch military strike against Pakistan within 24 to 36 hours, claims Pak minister Speaking to Marathi news channel ABP Majha in Nagpur on Tuesday, he said, "You gave land to Aurangzeb, whose descendants today - as fundamentalists and extremists - are attacking Hindus. I have said it earlier and saying it again that the first responsibility of Devendra Fadnavis is to remove and finish the graves of Aurangzeb and other invaders from Maharashtra." "If the government does not do it, then the 'Sanatan Dharmi' will have to come forward to do this work," Maharaj said. Tension had flared up in parts of Maharashtra last month following demands of removal of Aurangzeb's tomb located at Khultabad town, about 25 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city. Security had been beefed up around the tomb amid threat by right-wing groups for its removal. Violence erupted in central Nagpur's Chitnis Park in Mahal area on March 17 with stones hurled at police amid rumours that the holy book of a community was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing body for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb. Aurangzeb is remembered in Maharashtra for his battles with the Marathas, who resisted his expansionist ambitions. Maratha warrior king Shivaji Maharaj's son, Sambhaji, was captured, tortured and executed on his orders. Live Events To a query on the last week's Pahalgam terrorist attack, Pragyananand Maharaj said, "This is a direct attack on the 'dharm' that gives shelter to every religion in the world. Today, those very Sanatan Dharmis, Hindu Dharmis are not able to protect their own lives are being taken by Muslims and followers of Islam religion which was given shelter." When asked about a section of people saying Aurangzeb's tomb should not be removed as it is connected to Maratha history , he had said last week, "Why are such people even being heard? Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis should show sentiments like his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath against those powers that are anti-national and anti-religious." "Fadnavis needs to act like a bulldozer on the lines of the UP CM to finish off anarchist elements, anti national and anti-Constitution people and there will be no reason for violence," he had said. On whether he expected Fadnavis to remove Aurangzeb's tomb, he asked, "Why is the tomb still there? There is no question of expectations. That history, which troubled our great men of India, which was involved in religious conversions and destroyed our temples and places of worship, should have been eliminated by now, and his (Aurangzeb's) and descendants's history or their graves should not have been allowed in this country."
