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Afzal Khan's tomb be thrown open to public, PIL demands

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Press Trust of India Mumbai

Petitioner 'Maharashtra Lokarpan', a social organisation, stated that the ban at Dargah Hazrat Afzal Khan, located at the foot of the Fort, was imposed after some Hindu right-wing organisations threatened to demolish the structure.

The tomb was built in 1659, after Maratha king Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, a Bijapur sultanate general, near the Fort.

The tomb was later converted into Dargah. The right-wing organisations have objected to its presence near Pratapgad, which had associations with Shivaji.

Following threats by some organisations to pull it down, Maharashtra government imposed a ban entry. "Tourists are not allowed to enter the tomb area. The ban is unreasonable as the tomb is a part of Maharashtra's rich history and people should be allowed to learn more about it," the petition states.

 

The premises should be converted into a museum, and security in the area should be increased, it says.

The petition would be heard by the division bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and K K Tated next week.

  

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First Published: Jan 31 2013 | 7:05 PM IST

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