Aurangzeb Tomb Protest Live Updates: Effigies burnt, Mughal emperor's banners torn as Hindu groups demand demolition of mausoleum

Bajrang Dal leader Nitin Mahajan has 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 ANI on Saturday.

Uddhav Thackeray and Congress leaders are doing politics because they want the minority vote. Uddhav Thackeray is supporting Aurangzeb's tomb. He should clarify now that he supports Aurangzeb's tomb, did he also support the Babri structure earlier?: Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske

When the govt is not addressing issues related to youth, farmers, they (Bajrang Dal and allied forces) are trying to distract people and help the government... BJP and its allied associations always tried to change history... Aurangzeb could not capture an inch of land in the territory under the rule of Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje. Even after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Marathi soldiers, motivated by Shivaji's thoughts, never allow him to capture any land and that tomb is a symbolic indication of this... History should be protected so that even 200 years from now, people remember how power can be reduced to just a tomb: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar

Bajrang Dal workers stage a protest in front of Nagpur District Collector's office over their demand to remove Aurangzeb's tomb.

Hindutva functionary Milind Ekbote has been barred from entering Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar till April 5 over concerns of communal unrest. Authorities cited intelligence inputs suggesting he and his supporters might target Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad. A State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) unit has been deployed for security. Ekbote’s past involvement in the 2018 Koregaon Bhima violence was also considered. Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal and VHP have announced state-wide protests demanding the tomb’s removal. The ban is a preventive measure amid the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly session and the holy month of Ramzan.

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar reacted to Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole’s comparison of CM Devendra Fadnavis with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He stated, "What I feel is... comparing anyone with a person like Aurangzeb to some extent is not good. Politically, we should fight against all opposition... maybe the state Congress president meant something else by what he said. He must have said it because of the way this government is working." Pawar implied that political criticism should be focused on governance rather than historical comparisons.

The site has been a subject of political debate in recent years. In 2023, AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi’s visit to the tomb triggered a political storm, leading to heightened security measures. The renewed debate over its existence has once again put the historical site at the center of Maharashtra’s political discourse.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is responsible for the upkeep of the tomb, has refrained from making any direct comments on the demolition demands. ASI officials have stated that their role is purely to preserve historical sites and that any decision regarding the site's future must come from the government.

Congress MP Kalyan Kale has alleged that the controversy surrounding Aurangzeb’s tomb is being deliberately fueled to polarize voters ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He argued that raising historical and communal issues just before elections is a well-known political strategy.

Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Sanjay Shirsat has supported the call for demolishing Aurangzeb’s tomb. He stated that a memorial for the Mughal ruler has no place in Maharashtra and should be removed if it is being misused for political or religious motives.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, has criticized the state government, alleging that the issue is being used as a distraction ahead of elections. He accused the ruling party of using religious and historical controversies for political mileage.

The police have set up barricades around the site, restricting direct public access. Personnel from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and local law enforcement are stationed around the clock to monitor the area. Entry to the tomb is now highly regulated, with authorities ensuring tight surveillance.

Security has been significantly tightened around the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Khultabad, Maharashtra. The move comes amid growing demands from certain political factions for its demolition. Maharashtra police have deployed additional personnel to prevent any untoward incidents.