Aurangzeb’s Tomb Must Be Uprooted, Whoever Holds It Dear Should Keep It In Their Home: Navneet Rana

Mumbai: BJP leader Navneet Rana said Mughal ruler Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra's Aurangabad must be uprooted.

Launching a pincer attack, Rana, on Tuesday, further said whoever held the tomb of the Mughal emperor dearer must keep it and decorate it at home.

The sharp remarks came after Samajwadi Party's Maharashtra President, Abu Azmi, on Monday, glorified Aurangzeb by calling him a good administrator.

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Criticising the historical portrayals including in the film Chhava starring Vicky Kaushal depicting the life of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi said that history distorted Aurangzeb’s legacy and that he was not a cruel ruler.

Azmi also stated during Aurangzeb's reign, India's border reached Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar).

The remarks stoked a massive outrage with Thane Police registering an FIR against Azmi on a complaint raised by Lok Sabha member Naresh Mhaske for allegedly attempting to hurt religious feelings. 

The FIR was transferred to Marine Drive police station in Mumbai under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The SP MLA however retracted from his statement by apologising and stating that he wanted the issue to be laid to rest.

Asked about the fight between Aurangzeb and Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi had termed it a political battle.

The Mumbai Police registered a case against Azmi under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting religion or religious beliefs), 302 (Uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) and 356(1) & 356(2) (defamation).

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