16-07-2025
After Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar guardian minister, BJP MLC Kenekar wants Khultabad renamed Ratnapur
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: BJP MLC Sanjay Kenekar has demanded that Khultabad be renamed Ratnapur, following a similar demand by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar guardian minister Sanjay Shirsat.
Kenekar raised the proposal in the state legislature and said he had written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking Rs 100 crore for the construction of a memorial to Sambhaji Maharaj at Khultabad.
Khultabad, located approximately 25km from here, is the site of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb.
"During Congress tenure, we saw efforts to revive the history of the Mughals and other cruel rulers who invaded us. Our regime will witness efforts to wipe off signs of such history," Kenekar said.
In March, heightened security was deployed at Aurangzeb's tomb after some right-wing groups threatened to demolish the structure. Police maintained a round-the-clock vigil and installed permanent metal sheets around the tomb as a safety measure. Amidst the controversy, Shirsat had announced plans to rename Khultabad, a demand that Kenekar, who was not an MLC at the time, has now echoed.
The tomb is located adjacent to the dargah of 'Baiswe Khwaja', referring to the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Syed Zainuddin Shirazi, the Sufi saint and spiritual guru of Aurangzeb. The site attracts numerous visitors, including Hindu devotees. The AIMIM has opposed the renaming of Khultabad, with its state president and former city MP Imtiaz Jaleel saying the issue's revival is an attempt to divert attention from pressing matters and would negatively affect the image of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
