Nagpur violence: 50 arrested, curfew curbs, politics over Aurangzeb | 10 points

On Monday evening, violence erupted in central Nagpur amid rumours that a holy book of a community was set on fire during a right-wing protest seeking the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district

Nagpur Police on Tuesday informed that more than 50 people have been taken into custody in connection with the violence that erupted on March 17 (Monday). Moreover, five FIRs have been registered, Nagpur police commissioner Ravinder Singal said.

On Monday evening, violence erupted in central Nagpur amid rumours that a holy book of a community was set on fire during a right-wing protest seeking the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Officials stated that police faced stone-pelting during the unrest.

“The police have taken more than 50 persons into custody and registered five FIRs at various police stations in connection with the violence,” said Singal, adding that the situation is “under control” and “peaceful”.

Key things to know about the Nagpur violence:

- BJP state president and Nagpur guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, after visiting the injured police personnel at a hospital, said that as many as 34 of them have been injured. He further stated that social media was used to vitiate the atmosphere and there was no failure on part of the home department as police stood as a shield between the Hindu and Muslim communities (during the violence).

- Following the violence, curfew has been imposed in areas under the jurisdiction of Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imambada, Yashodhara Nagar and Kapil Nagar police stations.

- Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the violence in Nagpur appears to be “premeditated” and the mob had targeted specific houses, and stated that the film "Chhaava" reignited people's emotions against Aurangzeb. Those who have attacked the police will not be spared, he said.

- Fadnavis, giving a detailed sequence of the events leading up to violence, said that at 11.30 am on Monday, activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest in the Mahal area of Nagpur, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's grave. They also made a symbolic grave with hay and set it on fire, he said.

- Thereafter, a case was registered against the activists at the Ganesh Peth police station in the afternoon, and the section related to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings was invoked against them. By evening, a rumour was spread that the symbolic grave set on fire had some religious content on it. Following this, 200-300 people started raising slogans and threatened to resort to violence, following which the police used mild force, Fadnavis said.

- "While the police action was underway, 200-300 people in Hansapuri resorted to stone-pelting. Their faces were covered. Some people were attacked with sharp weapons," Maharashtra CM said.

- Echoing similar sentiments, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said there was a conspiracy to target a specific community. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) condemned the violence and sought “strictest action” against those involved.

- Opposition leaders, meanwhile, blamed the BJP-led Maharashtra government for the violence. AAP MP Sanjay Singh called the incident a planned conspiracy. Congress leader Karti Chidambaram expressed disappointment that people in 21st-century India are protesting over issues from the 17th and 18th centuries. Azad Samaj Party MP Chandra Shekhar accused the government of attempting to distract the public from critical problems like unemployment and poverty.

- Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange claimed that violence in Nagpur was "sponsored" by the Mahayuti government and blamed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the unrest in the city.

- BSP chief Mayawati said, “It is not right to damage or break anyone's grave or mausoleum in Maharashtra because this is spoiling the mutual brotherhood, peace and harmony there." The government should take strict action against such unruly elements, especially in Nagpur, otherwise the situation can worsen, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh said in a post on X.

Targetting CM Fadnavis over the incident, Congress leader Nana Patole said, “If the chief minister and home minister of the state call this incident pre-planned, then it is clear that it is the failure of the government and the police. He (Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis) himself is from Nagpur; if this incident is happening there, then it is the failure of the government.”

(With agencies inputs)