CHHTRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Police stepped up vigil Sunday at the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb near Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar following threats from some right-wing outfits, which want it demolished, and provocative statements by some politicians.
Direct entry to the tomb has been restricted since the past couple of days and the restrictions will be in place till further notice at the site in Khultabad, around 30km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, police said.
“There is no restriction on vehicles. However, barricades have been put up to slow down traffic to monitor vehicles heading towards the tomb. One platoon of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) has been deployed for round-the-clock vigil. Six policemen are continuously manning the tomb,” Khultabad police inspector Dhananjay Pharate said.
Away from the site, politicians from Shiv Sena factions rattled sabres. Ambadas Danve of Shiv Sena (UBT), leader of Opposition in the state legislative council, alleged the Mahayuti govt was fooling people and adding fuel to the fire. “Centre, through Archaeological Survey of India, provides funds for the tomb’s maintenance. Yet, central and state govts instigate some elements to speak about vandalising the tomb,” Danve said.
Cabinet minister and Shiv Sena functionary Sanjay Shirsat hit back, daring opposition parties to erect statues of Aurangzeb if they felt removing the tomb would destroy history. Shirsat there was no place for Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra.
Kalyan Kale, Danve’s ally and Jalna Congress MP, alleged the issue had been blown up ahead of local body polls in the state. “The tomb has been there for years. Many are seeing it now only because elections are around,” Kale said.