Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, encouraged people on Sunday to "stop reading history on WhatsApp" and instead consult reliable sources in response to calls for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb.

Speaking at his rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, he criticised those calling for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb from Maharashtra. He stated that such people are the ones trying to create communal tension, according to NDTV. Targetting those who began demanding the removal of the tomb after actor Vicky Kaushal’s movie Chhava, Thackeray remarked, “Hindus who feel awakened after a movie are of no use. Did you learn about Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice because of Vicky Kaushal and Aurangzeb because of Akshaye Khanna?”

“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 delve into history books,” said Thackeray. During his rally, Thackeray advised people not to get caught up in such debates. Instead, he urged them to focus on the real issues that matter today. “We are not concerned about water bodies and trees, but we are worried about Aurangzeb’s tomb?" he said, as quoted by India Today.

He further added, “People are being made to fight in the name of history, and politicians exploit these issues to fuel conflict.” Thackeray further said, “Religion should remain within the four walls of your home. A Hindu identifies as a Hindu only when Muslims take to the streets or during riots; otherwise, Hindus are divided by caste.”

Among other things, Thackeray also talked about the state government’s promises, alleging that the BJP-led government would scrap the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme. The government had promised to increase the assistance under the scheme from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100, which hasn’t been done yet.