Fact Check: Sanjay Raut Did Not Call Aurangzeb’s Tomb A ‘Symbol Of Valour’, Viral Claim Is FAKE

New Delhi (Vishvas News). Amid the ongoing Aurangzeb grave controversy, a video clip of Shiv Sena (Uttar Pradesh) leader Sanjay Raut is going viral on social media, claiming that he allegedly referred to the graves of Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan as ‘Symbols of valour’ during a press conference. Social media users are using this clip to criticise Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena.

Vishvas News investigated and found this claim to be fake. While the viral video clip features Sanjay Raut speaking to the media, he is not talking about Aurangzeb’s tomb. Instead, he describes its  presence as a symbol of Shivaji’s valour and the bravery of the Marathas.

What is viral?

Social media user ‘Santosh Singh Rajput‘ shared the viral video clip with the caption, “The tombs of Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan are in Maharashtra Symbol of bravery- Cheap Chanakya In Mahabharata, Shakuni had sworn to destroy the entire Kaurava dynasty. Today it seems that Sanjay Raut has taken an oath to end the politics of Thackeray family. Those who do politics in the name of Aurangzeb should remember that this is the land of Shivaji, the wave of Hindutva was there, is there and will remain here! The people will not delay in eliminating from politics those who are trying to save the legacy of the Mughals!”

Many users have also shared this video clip on Vishvas News tipline with similar claims.

Also, the clip has been widely shared across various social media platforms with similar misleading claims.

Investigation

To begin our investigation, we carefully analysed the video clip. After listening to it carefully, it became evident that Raut did not glorify Aurangzeb’s tomb. In response to a journalist’s question during the press conference, Raut said, “… No, people have no role and Eknath Shinde also has no role. This is Amit Shah’s role… What role can Eknath Shinde have in it? Till yesterday, he remained with us for three years. Does he know what his role is? It is a symbol of valour…the symbol of valour should never be broken. This is our role. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fought such a big war with Aurangzeb…the Marathas…even after Chhatrapati ji’s death, Aurangzeb kept fighting in Maharashtra for 25 years but could not win and his grave is there. This history should be visible to the coming generations. Whether it is Afzal Khan’s grave or Aurangzeb’s grave…if you are not ready to understand history, then you are an enemy of history…an enemy of history.”

It is evident that Raut did not refer to Aurangzeb’s tomb as a symbol of bravery. Instead, he emphasised that the Aurangzeb’s tomb stands as a testament to the bravery of the Marathas.

Amid the ongoing controversy over the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb, Raut rejected the demand, stating that it should remain intact because it is a symbol of Shivaji’s bravery.

Several reports, including the Times Now report, have also highlighted the statement in the same context.

According to ANI reports, Sanjay Raut described Aurangzeb’s tomb as a ‘symbol of valour’ of the Marathas.

Our investigation confirms that Sanjay Raut did not refer to Aurangzeb’s tomb as a ‘symbol of valour’. Instead, he described its presence as a symbol of Maratha’s bravery.

We contacted Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey regarding the viral video clip. Refuting the viral claims, he clarified that Sanjay Raut did not glorify Aurangzeb’s tomb but instead praised the bravery and valour of the Marathas. He stated, “Sanjay Raut while talking to the media, said that the tomb of Aurangya (Aurangzeb) is a symbol of Shivaji Maharaj’s valour.”

Notably, Aurangzeb’s tomb is located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, and has become the centre of a political controversy over demands of its removal. Recently, violence broke out between two communities in Nagpur over this dispute, resulting in injuries to several individuals, including police personnel.

While addressing the assembly on Nagpur violence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed it as ‘pre-planned violence’.

Speaking in the Assembly on Nagpur violence, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "In Nagpur, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held protests. Rumours were spread that things containing religious content were burnt….It looks like a well-planned attack. No one has… pic.twitter.com/FlEmczU0Rl

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025

The user who shared the viral video has over 20000 followers on Facebook.

Conclusion: Amid the ongoing controversy over the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra, the social media claim that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut referred to Aurangzeb’s tomb as a ‘symbol of valour’ is fake and political propaganda. He supported the retention of Aurangzeb’s tomb, stating that it is a symbol of bravery and valour of Shivaji and the Marathas— an important historical monument and lesson for the future generations.

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• Aurangzeb tomb controversy
• aurangzeb tomb row
• Sanjay Raut