Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has welcomed the demolition of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. However, he stressed that any action in this regard should be through legal procedures since the location is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Addressing the media in Mumbai on Saturday, Fadnavis mentioned that the tomb was given protection by the ASI during the Congress-led administration. His statement was made in reaction to BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a direct descendant of Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who had called for it to be removed recently.

The demand gained momentum after Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi created controversy by praising Aurangzeb, claiming that he had built temples and was not a cruel ruler. In addition to Bhosale, former MP and BJP leader Navneet Rana also urged the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb while criticizing Azmi’s remarks.

After the row, Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra legislative assembly till the budget session ends on March 26, 2025.