Why can the Maharashtra government not take any major decision on Aurangzeb even after wanting, what status has the tomb? – why aurangzeb tomb is asi protected in Nagpur Maharashtra Vioilent Protest Over removal of it ntcpmj

For the past few weeks, there is a continuous ruckus in the name of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Even in Nagpur, violence took place. Apart from many religious organizations, political parties also see two tearing about it. However, Aurangzeb’s mausoleum has been considered as the Monument of National Importance and the government itself has the responsibility of security. The state government cannot denotify it, until a decision comes from the Center.

What is happening now

Curfew has been imposed in Nagpur after violent demonstrations. Protesters are constantly demanding that the tomb of Aurangzeb in Sambhajinagar be dropped. State CM Devendra Fadnavis himself has given a statement that strict action will be taken against those who expressed the ideology of the Mughal emperor. However, among all these ruckus and statements, one truth is that no one can tamper with the mausoleum.

This is how the beginning

This whole rage started when SP MP Abu Azmi praised the Mughal ruler. After this, earlier this month, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s descendant and MP from Satara Udayanraje Bhosle demanded to demolish Aurangzeb’s tomb. After this, the matter continued to catch up and now there is a demand to destroy the grave in many parts of the country. But the state cannot take any action on this until the center gives any advice as the mausoleum is considered a memorial of national importance from the Center, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protects it.

What is means to be a monument of national importance

ASI works under the Union Ministry of Culture. It can declare sites and monuments of archaeological importance as national importance. The center is responsible for the maintenance of the places that join it. Even if someone tries to harm these places in any way, then legal action can be taken on him. No construction can be done in the ASI’s protected site or around, as threatened to its conservation.

Who gives protection to ASI

Under the ancient monument and archaeological site and relics Act (AMASR Act) 1958, Archaeological Survey of India is carried out by the maintenance of monuments of national importance and archaeological places. This institution works with the Union Ministry of Culture.

ASI gives protection to certain places. For example, places where evidence of human activity has been found before, such as caves and old tools. In the olden times, caves made by cutting rocks on which there are any photographs or artifacts, such as Ajanta-Ellora’s Kevs. ASI protects many things of historical importance including stupa, ancient temples, fort-mahl, church, mosques and mausoleums.

When was considered a protected monument to Aurangzeb’s tomb

No direct information is available about this. However, it is considered to be of historical and cultural significance and conservation under the ancient monument and archaeological site and relics Act 1958 (AMASR Act).

Why got security

In the early 18th century, the Mughal emperor died in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. According to the will, he was buried near the shrine of his Spiritual Guru in Khuldabad. ASI declared the mausoleum a protected monument due to historical and cultural significance. Apart from this, this tomb is part of the large compound of the historical sites of Tomb Khuldabad, including the tomb of many Sufi saints.

Can the state government denotify this tomb

No, this right is with the Center because ASI itself has declared it a national importance. The center has the right to remove any such monument from the list under the AMASR Act 1958. Please tell here that to denotify, it means to withdraw special status given to some place, thing, or policy. If the Center denotes it, then the tomb will not get legal protection and the center will not be responsible for its maintenance. In such a situation, the state can decide on it. This process is also called delisting.

How a place loses its importance

It is provided with the Annshiants Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958. According to its section 35, the responsibility of deciding it is fully with the center. Many times a monument gets the status even after not being of archaeological importance. If no monument is of national importance in the opinion of the center, then it gives notifications on it in the official gazette. After this, one gets two months time, in which one can object to the decision of the Center, or give suggestions.