Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, who claims to be a direct descendant of the final Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, has written to United Nations Secretary-Normal António Guterres urging safety for the tomb of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Tucy, who additionally identifies himself because the Mutawalli (caretaker) of the Waqf property the place the tomb lies in Kuldabad, cited the monument’s authorized standing and cultural worth in his attraction. He identified that the tomb is recognised as a “Monument of Nationwide Significance” underneath the Historical Monuments and Archaeological Websites and Stays Act, 1958, making any unauthorised alteration, destruction, or excavation close to it punishable by legislation.
The letter comes weeks after communal stress erupted in Nagpur on March 17 over calls to take away the tomb. Protesters had clashed with police, with violence reportedly triggered by misinformation concerning the desecration of a holy guide.
Tucy blamed the scenario on distorted portrayals of historic figures in movies and media, which, he stated, gas public anger and hate campaigns. “These symbolic acts of aggression, akin to burning effigies, threaten our shared heritage,” he stated.
In his letter, Tucy additionally invoked worldwide authorized obligations, together with India’s commitments underneath the 1972 UNESCO Conference, which mandates the conservation of cultural heritage for future generations.
Calling for speedy consideration, Tucy urged the UN Secretary-Normal to direct the Indian authorities and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to supply the Aurangzeb tomb with full authorized safety, safety, and preservation in accordance with each home and worldwide heritage legal guidelines.
