A curfew has been imposed in several parts of Nagpur following violent clashes that erupted on Monday, triggered by rumors surrounding a protest about the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb‘s tomb in Khuldabad. The unrest began when misinformation spread that a holy book had been desecrated during the demonstration organized by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. These groups were reportedly protesting the presence of Aurangzeb’s tomb and demanding its removal.

Curfew in Nagpur

The violence led to the imposition of curfew in key areas of Nagpur, including Kotwali, Ganeshpet, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpavli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar police station jurisdictions. The curfew, which was enacted by Nagpur’s Police Commissioner Ravinder Singhal using Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), is set to remain in effect until further notice. The restrictions include prohibiting people from leaving their homes except in the case of medical emergencies and barring gatherings of more than five individuals. Anyone found violating these orders will face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The protest that escalated into violence began when over 200 people gathered near the Shivaji Maharaj statue, where they allegedly burnt an effigy of Aurangzeb. The protest was part of their demand for the removal of his tomb. However, rumors soon circulated on social media that a holy book had been desecrated during the demonstration. As these rumors spread, tensions flared, and a group of 80-100 people reportedly gathered to protest and pelted stones at the police. In response, law enforcement deployed tear gas and conducted a lathi charge to disperse the mob, but the violence soon spread to additional areas, including Kotwali and Ganeshpeth.

The unrest resulted in several injuries, including four policemen, and the destruction of several vehicles. Local authorities, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, appealed to the public to maintain peace and order. The situation is being closely monitored, and law enforcement has assured the public that all necessary measures are in place to restore normalcy.

The curfew order allows for exemptions for police officers, government employees, emergency service personnel, fire brigade staff, and students who have examinations. Despite these efforts, local leaders, including political figures from the opposition, have voiced their concerns about the situation. RJD MP Sudhakar Singh criticized the central government, calling it weak in addressing the violence and accusing the ruling party of fostering division on religious lines. He also drew a parallel to the historical events surrounding the partition of India, suggesting that those responsible for it were now in power and using divisive tactics.

In response to the violence, NCP leader and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule also expressed her sorrow over the incident. She urged citizens not to believe in rumors and emphasized the need for harmony and cooperation to preserve Maharashtra’s progressive identity. Similarly, Congress leader Pawan Khera condemned the violence, emphasizing that Nagpur had never seen such riots in its 300-year history. Khera claimed that attempts were being made to weaponize historical narratives and create unrest in the present day. He suggested that the clashes exposed the true nature of the ruling ideology both at the national and state levels.

Violence in Nagpur

The curfew remains in effect as the city grapples with the aftermath of the violence, with authorities continuing to manage the situation. Despite political blame and commentary from various leaders, the immediate priority is to restore peace and ensure that such incidents do not escalate further. The curfew and the strict restrictions in place are part of an effort to prevent further unrest, and local officials are working diligently to restore calm to the affected areas.

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