Aurangzeb is irrelevant, says RSS as it condemns violence in Nagpur

Sunil Ambekar. File.
| Photo Credit: H.S. Manjunath

Any type of violence is bad for the society, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) national publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar said on Wednesday (March 19, 2025). On being asked if RSS thinks that Aurangezeb is relevant today and his tomb should be moved, Mr. Ambekar said its not relevant.

The tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who died 300 years ago which is located in Khuldabad in Maharashtra is under the storm since the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, both affiliates of the RSS, had demanded its removal. The demand sparked nationwide protests. After one of such protests that was held in Nagpur on March 17 left the city under communal tension. Curfew has been imposed in the town, which is also the RSS headquarters, and the situation is now under control says police.

Mr. Ambekar, who was addressing a press conference in Bangalore ahead of RSS’s annual executive meeting, the highest decision making body, which is scheduled to take place here from March 21 to 23, said that RSS is set to pass two resolutions in the meeting, one on the atrocities committed against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The other resolution will be on the success of RSS in 100 years, since 1925 and targets for the years to come.

Mr. Ambekar when was asked about RSS’ take on violence in Nagpur, he said, “Any type of violence is not good for the health of society. I think the police have taken cognizance of the incident and will look into the details.”

Responding to a question if longest-reigning Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is still relevant and his tomb should be moved or not, Mr. Ambekar dismissed the question, saying, “its not relevant’.

He informed that the executive meeting will be attended by the invited members along with chief of all the affiliates of the RSS. The Sangh is also going to plan for year long celebrations for Abbakka Chowta, a 16th-century woman ruler who fought the Portuguese as 2025 is her 500th birth anniversary.