"Stop reading history on WhatsApp...": Raj Thackeray Slams "Communal Politics" Over Aurangzeb’s Tomb

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday condemned attempts to provoke communal discord over the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Thackeray urged people to approach history with a broader perspective, rather than through the lens of caste and religion.

"History should not be interpreted through religious and caste-based biases. We must understand historical events in their proper context," he said.

Thackeray also criticised the reliance on social media, particularly WhatsApp forwards, for historical knowledge. "Stop reading history on WhatsApp and start exploring real history books," he advised.

Addressing the crowd, Thackeray highlighted that Aurangzeb failed in his attempt to annihilate the Maratha legacy. "Aurangzeb wanted to destroy a thought called Shivaji, but he failed and ultimately died in Maharashtra," he remarked.

The MNS Chief's remarks follow demands from right-wing groups to dismantle Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. This issue has sparked protests and violent clashes in Nagpur.

In addtion, Thackeray took a swipe at the tendency to gain historical awareness only through films. Referring to the recently released period drama Chhaava, based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, he asked, "Did you learn about Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice only because of Vicky Kaushal? Did you learn about Aurangzeb only because of Akshaye Khanna?"

Thackeray stated that Aurangzeb was born in Dahod, Gujarat, and criticised those using history for political gains. "Those who incite people for their own selfish ambitions do not care about history," he asserted.

Addressing the intersection of religion and governance, Thackeray stressed that a nation cannot progress based on religious ideologies. He cited Turkey as an example of a country that has undergone significant reforms. "Religion should remain within the four walls of your home. A Hindu only identifies as Hindu when Muslims take to the streets or during riots. Otherwise, Hindus remain divided by caste," he stated.

In his speech, Thackeray also took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government’s 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, predicting its eventual withdrawal. "I told you this before, but you chose to believe them and not me," he said. Opposition parties have been criticising the Mahayuti government, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), for not fulfilling its election promise to increase financial aid under the scheme from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100 per month.​