Nagpur was struck with violence on March 17 which led to the imposition of curfew the next day. The violence began with the widespread protests in the city which were held for removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. This led to the arrest of more than 50 people. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis called this a “planned incident” and also warned the ones accused of attacking the police.
Nagpur Police released an image of Fahim Shamim Khan on Wednesday, the man accused of being the mastermind behind the communal violence in the city. Khan will stay in police custody until March 21. The police have said Khan has played a key role in organising the protests that led to the violence in Nagpur on Monday evening. According to a second FIR, Khan is accused of rallying around 500 people, causing widespread violence, property damage, and attacks on local police officers.
What led to the violence in Nagpur?
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had held protests at various government offices on Monday. The VHP had also handed over memorandums asking for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad. In the memorandum sent to CM Fadnavis, the VHP mentioned that Aurangzeb had killed Guru Gobind Singh’s two sons for refusing to convert. They wrote that he also tortured and killed Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and destroyed temples in Kashi, Mathura, and Somnath.
Tensions escalated on Monday when protestors began throwing stones at police officers after rumours started spreading about the Quran being damaged during a protest by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. The incident took place in Mahal area of Nagpur on Monday evening and led to four people getting injured.
The rumour of Quran damage is yet to be confirmed, but it said that VHP and Bajrang Dal had allegedly burned a cloth with “kalma” written on it, leading to a widespread outrage among Muslim groups.
What does Nagpur Violence have to do with Aurangzeb?
The VHP and the Bajrang Dal, held protests at various government offices in the city while demanding removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb.
CM Fadnavis suggested that the “heightened emotions” were triggered by the release of the movie Chhava, which showed the cruel actions of Aurangzeb against Sambhaji Maharaj. The CM said that while the government must protect Aurangzeb’s tomb since it is a protected site, but it will not add to glorifying his legacy.