After metal fence, ASI installs barbed wire at Aurangzeb’s tomb amid ‘kar seva’ threats

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Within days of putting up a metal sheet to protect Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad, about 30km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has now installed barbed wire between the sheet and the existing marble grills that surround the overthree-century-old tomb from two sides. The third side is a wall while the fourth side has a small entrance to the tomb.

The steps are being taken after right-wing organisations threatened to do a “Kar Seva” similar to Babri Masjid demolition if the govt did not remove the tomb. Police have also been deployed at the tomb and movement to the structure has been largely curbed.

Feroz Ahmed, the sixthgeneration caretaker of the tomb, said, “First the metal sheets were put up and now barbed wire has been in stalled by govt authorities citing security reasons.”

ASI officials refused to comment on the issue, stating it was not the right time for them to speak about it. However, an ASI officer, who did not wish to be named, said, “It is a protected monument and the responsibility of govt is to safeguard it. If any damage is done to any protected monument, it will send a wrong message internationally about the country.” The tomb is situated on the premises of the dargah of Sufi saint Hazrat Zainuddin Shirazi.