Sat Mar 15 17:34:02 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Bans Hindutva Leader from District Amid Aurangzeb Tomb Tensions
**Aurangabad, Maharashtra – March 16, 2025** – Amidst escalating tensions surrounding the potential removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district (formerly Aurangabad), authorities have banned Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote from entering the district for two weeks. The ban, effective March 16th to April 5th, follows intelligence reports suggesting Ekbote’s organization, Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Pratishthan, planned to demolish the tomb. This decision comes in the wake of the release of the film “Chhaava,” which has reportedly fueled online debate about Aurangzeb.
The district administration also confirmed that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal are planning protests starting March 17th, demanding the tomb’s removal. The controversy has ignited a political firestorm, with Maharashtra’s Leader of the Opposition, Ambadas Danve, issuing a challenge to those advocating demolition, asserting the tomb’s historical significance. Conversely, Shiv Sena leader and guardian minister of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Sanjay Shirsat, vehemently supports the tomb’s removal, sparking further outrage. Ekbote has a history of involvement in past religious clashes. The situation remains tense as authorities grapple with managing the potential for further unrest.
First Piper 