Violence erupted in Nagpur on Monday evening following rumors that the holy book of the Muslim community had been burned during an agitation by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The unrest led to incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and violent clashes between two communities, leaving the city tense.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal termed the violence as a failure of the state home department, alleging that ministers had been making provocative speeches in recent days to incite unrest. He criticized the government, saying it was deliberately fueling communal tensions to divert public attention from crucial issues such as inflation, unemployment, and farmer distress. Sapkal urged people to remain calm and maintain Nagpur’s tradition of communal harmony.
The clashes intensified in Nagpur’s Mahal area, where protestors attacked police officers and set several vehicles on fire. During a combing operation, Deputy Commissioner of Police Niketan Kadam sustained serious injuries. Law enforcement responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd in the Chitnis Park area. As a precaution, security was tightened in sensitive parts of the city, with Quick Response Teams (QRT), Riot Control Police, and the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) deployed.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called for restraint, urging people not to fall for rumors and to help restore peace. Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP chief and minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule emphasized that the police were actively working to control the situation and warned against politicizing the issue. He urged political leaders to unite in fostering peace and assured that those responsible for the violence would be identified and held accountable.
With more than 15 people detained during police operations, the administration is making efforts to prevent further escalation. The incident has not only raised concerns over law and order in Nagpur but also highlighted the deepening political divide. As authorities work to restore normalcy, the focus remains on preventing further violence and ensuring communal harmony in Maharashtra’s second capital.
