Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed for peace after violence broke out in Nagpur today amid the row over the call for removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. “The police are managing the situation following stone pelting and tense situation in the Mahal area,” the Chief Minister said in a statement. “Nagpur is a peaceful city where people share in each other’s joys and sorrows, which has always been Nagpur’s tradition. Do not believe any rumours,” he added.
The clash between two groups in Mahal, central Nagpur, took place hours after the right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a protest demanding removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. There was tension in the area since.
Later, stones were thrown, and several vehicles, including a few belonging to the fire brigade, were torched. Several firemen were also injured, the fire department has claimed. The violence stopped after police used cane and tear gas and there is calm for now. Four persons have been injured, reported news agency Press Trust of India.
Describing the situation, Archit Chandak, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, said: “Stone pelting was taking place, so we displayed a show of force and also used tear gas…A few vehicles were set ablaze, we doused off the fire by calling Fire Brigade…A few police personnel were injured, I too sustained a little injury in my leg during stone pelting. But we urge everyone to maintain peace”.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who represents Nagpur in parliament, also appealed to the people to maintain peace.
In a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Gadkari said a situation of religious tension has arisen in Nagpur “due to certain rumors”.
“I assure you all that the government will take action against those who have committed mistakes or engaged in illegal activities. The Chief Minister has already been informed about this situation, so I request everyone not to pay attention to rumours,” he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister had backed the demand and said any move must be taken in a legal way since during Congress rule, the tomb at Khulabad was handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India.
The Chief Minister has also said that it was “unfortunate” that the state has to protect his grave. “It is unfortunate that the government has to take responsibility for the protection of Aurangzeb’s grave, despite his history of persecution,” he has said..
There have been strong statements from other leaders of the ruling coalition.
The Congress today targeted the state government over this.
In a post on X, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “Deliberate efforts are being made to spread hatred and incite conflict between the two communities, and this is being done by the ruling class”.
“Nagpur is a very peaceful city, but it has been attacked by pro-ruling organizations. All this is because of ministers in the cabinet who made absurd statements. The Chief Minister should immediately remove this minister from the cabinet,” he added.
The controversy over Aurangzeb was started last month by Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi, because of his statement that the Mughal emperor was a good administrator but was wrongly portrayed in history.
His remarks, coming amid strong emotions stirred by the Vicky Kaushal-starrer ‘Chhaava’ that depicted the torture of Sambhaji Maharaj, had drawn massive criticism.
Police cases have been filed against him and he has got advance bail from a Mumbai court in case he is arrested.