Overview
- Right-wing groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, have intensified demands to demolish Aurangzeb's tomb in Khuldabad, citing his historical actions against Hindus and Marathas.
- Authorities have deployed heavy security at the site, including State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel, local police, and checkpoints, requiring visitors to furnish identity cards for entry.
- The groups have warned of a 'karseva' similar to the Babri Masjid case if the government fails to act, while some political leaders have criticized the protests as divisive and a distraction from pressing issues like farmer suicides and unemployment.
- Shiv Sena (UBT) and other opposition leaders argue the tomb symbolizes Maratha resilience against Mughal oppression and should remain as a historical reminder rather than being erased.
- The controversy has drawn mixed reactions, with some leaders supporting the removal of the tomb and others calling for preserving history to avoid fueling communal tensions.