Clashes Erupt in Nagpur Over Aurangzeb Tomb Row; Fadnavis and Gadkari Appeal for Calm

Clash Erupts in Nagpur Over Aurangzeb Tomb Row, Fadnavis and Gadkari Appeal for Calm

Tension erupted in Nagpur’s Mahal area after a clash between two groups over the controversial demand to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. The situation escalated into violence, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to appeal for peace and calm in the city.

Stone Pelting and Arson in Mahal

The clash occurred hours after the right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organized a protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. The protest created an atmosphere of tension in the central Nagpur locality of Mahal, which soon spiraled into violence.

Reports indicate that stones were thrown, and several vehicles, including those belonging to the fire brigade, were set on fire. According to the fire department, several firemen were injured in the attack. The violence was brought under control after the police resorted to a cane charge and used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Four people have been injured in the clashes, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI). Archit Chandak, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, described the situation:

"Stone pelting was taking place, so we displayed a show of force and also used tear gas. A few vehicles were set ablaze, which we managed to extinguish with the help of the Fire Brigade. A few police personnel were injured, and I also sustained a minor injury on my leg during the stone pelting. We urge everyone to maintain peace."

Chief Minister Fadnavis Appeals for Peace

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued a statement urging residents of Nagpur to stay calm and avoid believing in rumors. He highlighted Nagpur's history of communal harmony and requested people to uphold the city’s peaceful tradition.

"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 rumors," Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis also addressed the controversy surrounding Aurangzeb’s tomb. He stated that the matter should be handled legally since the tomb at Khuldabad was handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) during the Congress regime.

"It is unfortunate that the government has to take responsibility for the protection of Aurangzeb's grave, despite his history of persecution," Fadnavis remarked.

Nitin Gadkari’s Call for Harmony

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who represents Nagpur in parliament, also appealed for calm. In a video message posted on social media, Gadkari reassured the public that the government would take appropriate action against those responsible for the violence.

"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 rumors," Gadkari said.

Political Reactions and Accusations

The Congress party has criticized the state government over the incident. Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the ruling coalition of deliberately inciting communal tension.

"Deliberate efforts are being made to spread hatred and incite conflict between the two communities, and this is being done by the ruling class," Wadettiwar posted on social media.

He further demanded the immediate removal of certain ministers, blaming their controversial statements for the unrest.

"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," Wadettiwar added.

Root of the Controversy

The controversy over Aurangzeb's tomb gained traction last month after Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi described the Mughal emperor as a good administrator who had been wrongly portrayed in history.

Azmi's remarks came amid strong emotions stirred by the film 'Chhaava', which depicted the torture of Sambhaji Maharaj by Aurangzeb. His statement triggered outrage, and police cases were filed against him. Azmi has since obtained advance bail from a Mumbai court.

Current Situation

As of now, the situation in Nagpur remains tense but under control. Heavy police presence has been deployed in the Mahal area to prevent further incidents. The authorities have urged residents to avoid large gatherings and refrain from spreading unverified information on social media.