Nagpur violence updates: CM Fadnavis, dy CM Shinde say clash was a ‘pre-planned conspiracy’

Nagpur violence updates: Addressing the Assembly on the Nagpur violence, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis stated that Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal had organized protests in Nagpur. He said that rumors were spread about religious items being burned and described the incident as a “well-planned attack.” He emphasised that no one has the right to take law and order into their own hands.

Nagpur violence updates: Addressing the state assembly on the Nagpur violence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the clashes appeared to be “pre-planned.” He acknowledged that the Chhava movie had fueled public anger against Aurangzeb but urged everyone to ensure peace in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described the violence as “unfortunate” and appealed for calm. He added that police are investigating whether the incident was part of a “pre-planned conspiracy.”

Nagpur violence updates: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing the state assembly on the Nagpur clashes, stated that a group deliberately targeted police personnel in a planned manner to disrupt social harmony. He reported that 33 police officers, including three DCPs, sustained serious injuries, while five civilians were also hurt, with one in the ICU. Fadnavis asserted that no one involved in the attack on police, regardless of their religious identity, would be spared. He further revealed that the mob was armed and had gathered a trolley full of stones, indicating a clear intent to disturb law and order.

Nagpur violence updates: Speaking on the Nagpur violence, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad urged the people of Maharashtra to maintain peace. She highlighted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s leadership, emphasizing his inclusive approach. Gaikwad also claimed that certain individuals were attempting to disrupt the state’s social harmony and that politics was being influenced by religion.

Nagpur violence updates: Speaking on the Nagpur violence, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi told ANI that the government was managing the situation effectively and stressed that such incidents should not occur. He stated, “It is not about this party or that party; whoever has done wrong, the Maharashtra government is taking action against them.”

Meanwhile, Nagpur Police Commissioner, as quoted by ANI, refuted claims that the police had not responded adequately. He highlighted that officers were present from the beginning of the unrest, which resulted in injuries to 33 policemen.

Nagpur violence updates: Leader of Opposition of Maharashtra assembly and Congress MLA Vijay Waddetiwar on Tuesday criticised the BJP-led state government, alleging that the Nagpur violence was “government-sponsored.” He called for a ban on Telangana BJP leader T Raja in Maharashtra, accusing him of inciting unrest. Waddetiwar also questioned why the government was protesting over the Aurangzeb issue despite being in power both at the state and central levels.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, also blamed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his government for the violence, alleging that the BJP was attempting to disrupt communal harmony in the state.

Nagpur violence updates: Curfew has been enforced in multiple areas of Nagpur after a protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb led to violence, resulting in vandalism of houses and vehicles, officials said on Tuesday.

Police said that the situation is now under control.

The curfew covers Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imambada, Yashodhara Nagar, and Kapil Nagar police station limits, as per an official release.

Nagpur violence updates: Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, accused chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his government of being responsible for the violence in Nagpur. He alleged that the ruling BJP was attempting to disturb communal harmony in the state.

In a video statement on Monday night, Danve directly blamed the chief minister and his administration for the unrest, stating, “I am clearly stating that the Maharashtra government and state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home department portfolio, are behind the Nagpur violence.”

He questioned how Fadnavis, despite being in charge of the home department, remained unaware of potential violence in his own hometown. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further alleged that the government had been attempting to provoke Hindu-Muslim clashes for over a month.

“This government has made efforts for the last one month to stoke Hindu-Muslim violence in the state. Such violence would disrupt the daily life of Hindus as well as Muslims, but (the government) wants to reap political benefits out of it. The BJP and its associated organisations are trying to disrupt the harmony in the state,” he claimed.

The violence broke out in central Nagpur on Monday, where police were attacked with stones following rumours that a holy book was set ablaze during a right-wing demonstration demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

Nagpur violence updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir, addressing the Nagpur violence, urged that the issue should not be politicised and called for immediate action against the culprits.

“We should not do politics on this issue. Immediate action should be taken on the culprits. Why is there a need to instigate such an issue (Aurangzeb)?” he questioned.

The unrest stemmed from the growing demand by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and other fringe groups to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb from Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Their agitation intensified on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, leading to tensions across the state.

Nagpur violence updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut questioned the outbreak of violence in Nagpur, saying that the city houses the RSS headquarters and is the constituency of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. He expressed scepticism over the incident, stating, “Who can have the courage to spread violence there? This is a new pattern to scare Hindus, make their own people attack them, and then incite and involve them in riots.”

Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal announced that Section 144 has been imposed in the area to prevent further unrest. Maharashtra minister of state for home, Yogesh Kadam, confirmed that 47 people have been detained so far for rioting.

Nagpur violence updates: Shiv Sena MLA Manisha Kayande condemned the violence in Nagpur following clashes between two groups. She said that those responsible for spreading rumours “should be arrested and punished,” stressing that such incidents would not be tolerated in Maharashtra. Kayande pointed out that the large-scale stone pelting and unrest appeared to be premeditated and urged the state government to issue a statement on the matter in both houses of the Assembly.

Meanwhile, authorities have granted the police the power to close roads in the affected areas to maintain law and order. The curfew remains enforceable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), making violations punishable. However, the order exempts police personnel on duty, government and administrative officials, students appearing for exams, and individuals involved in essential services such as the fire brigade.

Nagpur violence updates: The unrest broke out following a demonstration by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) members near the statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Mahal at 8.30 pm, where they demanded the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave and burned his effigy.

A few hours later, rumours spread that members of Muslim groups accused activists from Hindu outfits, including VHP and Bajrang Dal, of burning a cloth inscribed with the holy “kalma” (Islamic prayer) and a sacred book during the protest.

Nagpur violence updates: The violence broke out near the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters, triggering widespread panic among local residents.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions escalated quickly as miscreants torched multiple vehicles and vandalised property. Videos of the incidents circulated rapidly on social media.

To control the situation, police resorted to lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse violent mobs in Chitnis Park, Mahal, and other parts of central Nagpur.

Nagpur violence updates: After clashes broke out in Nagpur over demands by Sangh Parivar organisations to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat on Tuesday urged people to “stay together in harmony.”

She stressed the need for the public to be aware of the facts and not be misled by false information.

“There are some people in the country who take advantage. I appeal to the public to understand the facts and not pay attention to rumours, and to stay together harmoniously,” Sehrawat told ANI.

Following the unrest, a curfew has been imposed in multiple areas of Nagpur under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), as per an official Maharashtra police notification.

Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal issued an official order stating that the restrictions would remain in effect until further notice.

Nagpur violence updates: Addressing the Nagpur violence that erupted on Monday evening, Maharashtra MoS Home Yogesh Kadam stated that the cause of the incident was yet to be determined. He informed that 47 people had been detained so far, while 12-14 police personnel and 2-3 civilians sustained injuries. Kadam assured that authorities were investigating the matter and that strict action would be taken against those responsible for breaking the law.

The violence in Nagpur led to the vandalism of several houses, vehicles, and a clinic, reportedly following rumours that a holy book of a particular community had been burned during an agitation by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb.

Nagpur violence updates: Reacting to the clashes between two groups in Nagpur on Monday, Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma condemned the violence and stated, “We condemn the violence that occurred in Nagpur yesterday. Aurangzeb cannot be glorified in India…”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, BJP MLA Pravin Datke visited the violence-hit Hansapuri area and claimed that the incident was “pre-planned.” He pointed to the vandalism of shops, stalls, and destruction of cameras as signs of an orchestrated attack.

Nagpur violence updates: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said that those who continue to praise Aurangzeb are “traitors,” stressing that the Mughal emperor had attempted to conquer the state and was responsible for numerous atrocities.

In contrast, he described Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a “divine force” who symbolised bravery, sacrifice, and the spirit of Hindutva. Shinde made these remarks on Monday night while speaking at an event marking ‘Shiv Jayanti’.

The Shiv Sena leader was addressing a gathering at Gharda Chowk in Dombivli, Thane district, where an equestrian statue of Shivaji Maharaj was unveiled to commemorate his leadership and courage.

His statement comes amid demands from right-wing groups to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

Nagpur violence updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana lashed out at BJP leaders over their calls to destroy Aurangzeb’s grave, labelling them as “enemies of the brave tradition of Marathas.”

In its editorial, the periodical accused certain leaders of attempting to incite hatred in Maharashtra, stating, “Some neo-Hindutvawadia are loudly saying they will destroy Aurangzeb’s grave like Babri Masjid was demolished. They just want to spread hatred in Maharashtra. Marathas fought for 25 years against Aurangzeb and finally Aurangzeb who attacked their self-esteem was buried in this soil. They want to erase this entire history.”

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray dismissed the agitation as “a mere gimmick to distract people from real issues.”

Nagpur violence updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government over the violence in Nagpur on Monday, alleging that the state is being deliberately destabilised to discourage investments, indirectly benefiting the neighbouring state (hinting at Gujarat).

Violence broke out in central Nagpur, with stone-pelting targeting police following rumours that a community’s holy book was burnt during a right-wing group’s agitation demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The clashes left six civilians and three police personnel injured. Authorities have arrested 15 people during combing operations in the Mahal area.

Nagpur violence updates: Several houses, vehicles, and a clinic were vandalised in Nagpur following rumours that a community’s holy book was burned during a right-wing group’s agitation demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb.

Police stated that prohibitory orders have been imposed in several parts of the city due to the violence. However, officials confirmed on Tuesday that the situation is now peaceful.

The most affected area was the Chitnis Park to Shukrawari Talao road belt, where rioters set several four-wheelers on fire and pelted stones at residential houses.

Residents of the Old Hislop College area near Chitnis Park in Mahal told PTI that a mob entered their locality around 7:30 pm, hurling stones at homes and damaging multiple cars. Four cars were vandalized, with one severely burnt.

Nagpur violence updates: Amid tensions in Nagpur over the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s demand to remove Aurangzeb’s grave, BJP MP Anil Bonde on Tuesday blamed the violence on individuals involved in “organised crime,” alleging they were instigated to create unrest as part of an attempt to “defame” Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

“Those who are into organised crime, get instigated to start violence, that is what has happened in Nagpur. Such things are being done to defame the govt of Devendra Fadnavis,” Bonde told ANI.

He also targeted Opposition MVA leaders over their remarks, particularly accusing NCP (SCP) leader Jitendra Awhad of praising Aurangzeb.

“Protest was held demanding removal of Aurangzeb’s grave. Now, in Maharashtra, leaders of Congress and NCP(SP) give statements like Jitendra Awhad said that if there were no Aurangzeb, there wouldn’t have been Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj either,” alleged the BJP MP.

Nagpur violence updates: As tensions rise over Sangh Parivar organisations’ demand to remove Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday called such actions “not right,” warning that they could harm mutual brotherhood, peace, and harmony. She urged the Maharashtra government to take strict action against “unruly elements.”

Her remarks followed the violence in Nagpur’s Hansapuri area, where unidentified individuals vandalized shops, torched vehicles, and pelted stones. This came after an earlier clash between two groups in the Mahal area, further escalating tensions in the city.

Expressing concern over the worsening situation, Mayawati urged the Mahayuti-led Maharashtra government to intervene firmly.

“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, which is not right,” the BSP chief posted on X.

Nagpur violence updates: A shopkeeper from Nagpur’s Hansapuri area, while speaking to ANI, described Monday’s violence, saying that he had closed his shop around 10.30 pm when he suddenly saw people setting vehicles on fire. He said that when he attempted to extinguish the flames, he was hit by a stone. According to him, two of his vehicles, along with several others parked nearby, were torched.

Another local resident alleged that the police arrived about 1.5 hours after the incident. He claimed that before carrying out the violence, the attackers first targeted and damaged CCTV cameras.

Nagpur violence updates: Amid the violence between two groups in Nagpur, BJP MLA (Nagpur Central) Pravin Datke alleged that the incident was “preplanned” and criticised the police response.

“I have reached here this early morning. This entire thing was preplanned. After an agitation yesterday morning, an incident took place at Ganesh Peth police station, then everything was normal… Later, the mob entered only Hindu houses and shops… First, all the cameras were broken and then the violence was carried out with weapons in a preplanned manner… I spoke to the CP (Commissioner of Police), this is a sensitive area… We called PI Sanjay Singh for two hours but his phone was off… We had been reaching out to the police. When the police reached here, everything was done here… I will also speak to the CM… The images of the perpetrators are in the DVRs. We will provide it to the police… It is regrettable that yesterday, the police did not stand with the Hindu citizens… PIs like Sanjay Singh don’t listen to the citizens… A large part of the mob came from the outside,” Datke said.

The violence followed a Monday protest where 200-250 VHP and Bajrang Dal members gathered near the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal, Nagpur, demanding Aurangzeb’s grave removal. Protesters raised slogans and displayed a green cloth with cow dung cakes.

Later, around 7:30 pm, a separate gathering of 80-100 people in Bhaldarpura escalated tensions, causing public distress and disrupting movement.

Nagpur violence updates: Nagpur police commissioner Ravinder Singal on Monday reassured residents that the violence had been brought under control and that the “situation is now peaceful.”

Authorities have imposed Section 144 along with a curfew in the area, instructing people to avoid stepping out unless necessary.

The clashes erupted in Nagpur’s Mahal area, where a mob of nearly 1,000 people carried out large-scale stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson. Several police personnel were injured, and multiple vehicles and homes were damaged. According to the police commissioner, the violence took place between 8 and 8:30 pm.