In Maharashtra, a centuries-old tomb has become the epicenter of a modern political storm. The tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is at the heart of growing tensions, as political leaders and right-wing groups clash over its place in India’s historical and cultural narrative.

Violence erupted when Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists staged protests and demanded the tomb’s removal, accusing Aurangzeb of atrocities against Hindus—a narrative reignited by the upcoming Bollywood film Chhaava, which portrays the life of Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Shivaji Maharaj.

Prominent BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Shivaji, added fuel to the fire by calling for the tomb’s removal, framing it as a matter of Maharashtra’s cultural pride. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi’s controversial remarks praising Aurangzeb have further polarized the debate, leading to his suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly.

While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed support for the tomb’s removal, he also stressed the need to respect legal procedures, given that the site is under the Archaeological Survey of India’s protection.

As passions flare, the larger question remains—should contemporary politics decide how we remember history, or is it time India moves forward, focusing on unity and its future, rather than lingering in the shadows of contested pasts?