Shinde questions glorification of Aurangzeb, says ‘he is a blot on our history’

Maharashtra Deputy CM criticizes glorification of Aurangzeb, compares burial to Osama bin Laden, sparks heated debate in council.

Amid a row over Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) said even the United States didn't allow Osama bin Laden to be buried on its land and disposed of his body into the sea to avoid any glorification.

The pointed attack came amid a heated exchange between the ruling and opposition members in the legislative council after Shinde took a dig at Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab.

While addressing the council about the Nagpur violence,Mr. Shinde questioned the glorification of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, whose tomb has become a point of contention with right-wing outfits demanding its removal.

"Who is Aurangzeb? Why should we allow his glorification in our state? He is a blot on our history," the Deputy Chief Minister said in his closing remarks.

He Mr. Shinde said the Mughal emperor had offered Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje a choice to convert to Islam, but the latter refused and was brutally tortured and killed.

Referring to Mr. Parab's allegation that Mr. Shinde switched allegiance from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to the BJP out of fear of central agencies, Mr. Shinde shot back, "Even the US, after killing Osama bin Laden, ensured that he was not buried on their land. They disposed him of into the sea to prevent any glorification".

Mr. Shinde slammed state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal's comparison of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's governance to Aurangzeb's rule.