A journalist-turned-activist, Ketan Tirodkar, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court, seeking the demolition of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad, Maharashtra. The petition argues that the tomb lacks the status of a monument of “national importance” under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Act, 1958.
Key Arguments in the Petition
- The petition urges the court to direct the ASI to delist Aurangzeb’s tomb from the register of national monuments.
- It argues that the site does not qualify under Section 3 of the ASI Act, 1958, which defines ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national significance.
- According to the petition, national importance should mean a site that holds value for the entire country, not just a specific group or region.
- It further asserts that the historical impact of the site should be viewed positively for future generations.
