Nagpur: The city witnessed violent clashes on Monday night following protests demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. The unrest led to over 50 arrests, with authorities closely monitoring social media and reviewing CCTV footage to identify more suspects.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal confirmed that the situation had returned to normal on Tuesday. However, security remained heightened at the Hansapuri area, where the clashes erupted amid rumors that a holy book had been burned during a demonstration by right-wing groups.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) member Rajkumar Sharma defended the protest, stating that a green cloth with Urdu inscriptions on a grave had sparked tensions. He alleged that members of the Muslim community orchestrated the violence, looted Hindu-owned shops, and targeted homes. “This country will run as per the Constitution, but if these ‘Aurangzeb ki aulad’ (children of Aurangzeb) resort to vandalism, Hindus will respond,” he warned.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Imtiaz Jaleel countered the communal rhetoric, arguing that historical figures should not be used to incite violence. He compared the controversy to World War II movies, stating that European nations preserved war-related monuments to educate future generations without provoking riots.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray ridiculed the BJP for reviving a centuries-old issue. “Raze Aurangzeb’s tomb if you want, but be sure to call Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu when you do it,” he taunted, referring to BJP’s NDA allies. He also mocked the party’s aversion to the color green, urging them to remove it from their flag.
Nagpur Police registered an FIR against VHP and Bajrang Dal functionaries, including Maharashtra-Goa VHP secretary Govind Shende, for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. Officials assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible for inciting violence.
With political tensions rising and communal narratives intensifying, the incident has sparked fresh debates over historical grievances and their impact on contemporary politics.
