Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has suggested building a memorial for Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, rather than removing the grave of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, amidst ongoing debates over the tomb's presence in the region. Athawale, leader of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), emphasized that peace should be maintained in the country while respecting historical ideologies.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Athawale said, "Don't remove his [Aurangzeb’s] grave. But there should be a big memorial to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje in Sambhajinagar." His comments come in response to repeated demands from Hindu organizations calling for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb, accusing the 17th-century Mughal ruler of imposing atrocities on Hindus.
Athawale further noted that the tomb is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and stated, "We have to move forward with the ideology of Sambhaji Maharaj but there should be peace in the country." His remarks reflect a desire to avoid escalating tensions while honoring the legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji, a significant figure in Maharashtra’s history.
Additionally, Athawale made a plea to the Muslim community, urging them not to associate with Aurangzeb. "My request to the Muslim community is that you should not associate yourself with Aurangzeb. The Muslims here were Hindus. The Muslims here are not the children of Aurangzeb. They have no relation with him," he said.
Athawale's suggestion seeks to address the sensitive issue by focusing on fostering harmony while still paying homage to regional historical figures, proposing a peaceful resolution amid ongoing controversies.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)