New Delhi, March 24 -- Did you hear? They've brought out a movie about Aurangzeb's brutality!" cried my neighbour, his eyes widening with excitement, as though the Mughal emperor was about to storm into our apartment complex.

"Oh wonderful," I muttered, "just what we need, another reason for people to glare suspiciously at each other across the street."

Now, don't get me wrong. History is important. Understanding our past is vital. But when governments start digging up centuries-old grievances like a child unearthing buried treasure, we should ask ourselves why. Are they trying to teach us a lesson in peace, or are they just tossing a few communal sparks into dry tinder to get votes?

"But Bob," my neighbour protested, "people need to ...