Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, who claims lineage from the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, has reached out to the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, seeking intervention to safeguard the tomb of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The tomb is located in Kuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district (formerly known as Aurangabad), Maharashtra.
This appeal follows recent unrest in Nagpur, where tensions escalated during a rally calling for the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave. The protest turned violent, with stone-pelting incidents and allegations of a sacred text being burned, leading to the arrest of 92 individuals.
Identifying himself as the Mutawalli (caretaker) of the Waqf property that houses the tomb, Prince Yakub emphasized its historical significance. He noted that the site is officially recognized as a “Monument of National Importance” and falls under the protection of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
“As per the provisions of the said Act, no unauthorised construction, alteration, destruction, or excavation can be undertaken at or near the protected monument, and any such activity would be deemed illegal and punishable under law,” he stated in his letter to the UN.
He also criticized how historical narratives have been distorted through films and social media, fueling public anger and protests. “Due to the misrepresentation of historical factions through films, media outlets, and social platforms has enabled the manipulation of public sentiment, resulting in unwarranted protests, hate campaigns and symbolic acts of aggression such as burning of effigies,” the letter added.
Tucy urged the United Nations to remind the Indian government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of their responsibilities, pointing to India’s commitment to the 1972 UNESCO Convention on cultural heritage protection.
“Any act of destruction, neglect, or unlawful alteration of such monuments would amount to a violation of international obligations,” the letter asserted, while calling for immediate measures to ensure the grave’s preservation and security “in accordance with national and international laws.”
