Nagpur Erupts in Violence: Fury and Fury Unleashes Demands to Dismantle Aurangzeb’s Controversial Tomb
Tensions Flare in Nagpur’s Mahal Area as Violence Erupts Over Mughal Emperor’s Tomb
Nagpur witnessed large-scale violence on Monday evening, March 17, as protests turned violent in the Mahal area. The unrest was sparked by demands to remove Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb from Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, coinciding with celebrations marking Shiv Jayanti. The mayhem led to reports of arson, vandalism, and stone-pelting, resulting in the injury of at least 25 police and fire brigade personnel, including an IPS officer.
The violence began near the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters, sending panic among residents. Eyewitnesses described miscreants setting vehicles ablaze and damaging property, with images of the rampage spreading quickly across social media. To quell the situation, police resorted to lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mobs in Chitnis Park, Mahal, and surrounding areas.
The trouble began with a demonstration by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Mahal around 8:30 PM. Protesters torched an effigy of Aurangzeb, demanding the removal of his tomb. However, tensions escalated further when rumors spread that Hindu activists had allegedly burnt a cloth inscribed with the Islamic prayer “kalma” and a holy book, prompting mass gatherings of the Muslim community in Mahal, Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, and Chitnis Park.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal confirmed that Section 144 had been imposed to curb further violence. “A cloth was burned, leading to people gathering and raising slogans. Immediate action was taken, and an FIR has been registered based on complaints from the Muslim community. Although some vehicles were torched, and stones were pelted, the situation is now under control,” he said. Singal urged citizens to refrain from spreading rumors and taking the law into their own hands, stating that police are conducting combing operations to identify further suspects. The authorities have arrested 30 individuals for rioting, and an investigation is underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
With the area still reeling from the violence, the city authorities are working to restore order and ensure public safety. The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, highlighting the continued importance of addressing communal tensions and promoting social harmony. The Nagpur Police are now working to maintain surveillance and prevent further escalation, as the city continues to come to terms with the aftermath of the violent clashes.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/nagpur-erupts-in-violence-amid-demands-to-remove-aurangzebs-tomb-1185267-2025-03-18?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-03-18 09:19:00
