NEW DELHI: Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday condemned efforts to stir communal tensions over Aurangzeb’s tomb and urged the people to refer to books to learn history and not WhatsApp.
“Don’t we want to let the world know that these people sought to destroy the Marathas but were wiped out instead. Stop reading history on WhatsApp and rather delve into history books,” he said, addressing his annual Gudhi Padwa rally in Mumbai.
Referring to the recently released Chhaava movie, he asked, “We have forgotten the real issues of the present time. Hindus who feel awakened after a movie are of no use. Did you learn about Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice because of Vicky Kaushal and about Aurangazeb because of Akshaye Khanna.”
Thackeray noted that Afzal Khan, the Bijapur general, was buried near Pratapgad Fort with Shivaji Maharaj’s permission, highlighting historical context. His remarks come amid right-wing demands to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, an issue that recently sparked violent protests in Nagpur.
He pointed out that Aurangzeb was born in Dahod, Gujarat, and criticized those who manipulate history for political gain. Emphasizing that a nation cannot progress solely on religion, he cited Turkey as an example of successful reform and modernization.
The controversy was triggered when Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai announced that his ruling Shiv Sena party had urged the Union government to revoke Aurangzeb’s tomb’s ‘protected monument’ status in Khultabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.