Hyderabad (Telangana): Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, who identifies himself as a descendant of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, has appealed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene and ensure the protection of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) in Maharashtra.

Tucy's appeal follows a recent spate of unrest in Nagpur, where violence broke out during a protest that called for the tomb’s removal. The tomb, located in Kuldabad, has become a flashpoint amid growing tensions linked to historical figures.

In his letter, Tucy also asserted his role as the mutawalli (caretaker) of the Waqf land housing the tomb. He pointed out that the site is officially recognised as a "Monument of National Importance" and is safeguarded under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 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,” Tucy wrote in his appeal to the UN.

Raising concerns over the tomb’s current condition, he stressed the need for security personnel to be deployed to guard the site. He attributed the rise in hostility to the distortion of history in popular media and online spaces.

“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 stated.

Tucy also referred to international commitments to protect heritage, noting that “international law imposes an obligation to safeguard and conserve cultural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations”.

Quoting India’s role as a signatory to the 1972 UNESCO Convention on the protection of cultural and natural heritage, he added, “Any act of destruction, neglect or unlawful alteration of such monuments would amount to a violation of international obligations.”

Calling for urgent attention, Tucy urged the UN chief to press upon the Government of India and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) the need to guarantee “full legal protection, security and preservation in accordance with national and international laws” for Aurangzeb’s tomb.

The appeal comes in the aftermath of the March 17 violence in Nagpur, triggered by demands to dismantle the Mughal ruler’s grave. Amid reports of a holy text being allegedly desecrated, tensions escalated, leading to stone pelting at police. Authorities have since arrested 92 individuals in connection with the incident.

ANI