Violence erupted in Nagpur during a rally which demanded the removal of the tomb located in Kuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district (formerly Aurangabad).

He said the grave has been declared a ‘Monument of National Importance’ and is protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 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,” the letter read.

“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,” he said in the letter.

Prince Yakub underlined that international law imposes an obligation to “safeguard and conserve cultural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.”