Key Points:
- Violence erupted in Nagpur following VHP and Bajrang Dal protests over Aurangzeb’s grave
- CM Fadnavis called it a “well-planned conspiracy” triggered by rumors about religious symbols
- 33 police officers injured including 3 DCPs; one officer attacked with an axe
- Section 144 imposed in 11 police station areas with SRPF deployment
- Deputy CM Shinde questioned Congress, asking where attackers obtained petrol bombs
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Assembly witnessed intense debate on Tuesday as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the recent outbreak of violence in Nagpur, describing it as a meticulously orchestrated conspiracy rather than a spontaneous incident. According to Fadnavis, the unrest began when members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal organized a demonstration demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave, during which protesters symbolically burned the grave’s sheet.
The situation escalated rapidly when rumors spread claiming a religious symbol was present on the sheet, inflaming tensions and triggering violent confrontations. “This violence spread due to a rumor about a religious symbol on the sheet placed on the symbolic grave,” Fadnavis explained to the Assembly, emphasizing that “no one can take the law into their own hands”.
Extensive Damage and Injuries Reported
The Chief Minister provided a detailed assessment of the destruction caused during the violence. A mob of approximately 80-100 individuals engaged in stone-pelting and targeted attacks against law enforcement. The toll was significant:
- 12 two-wheelers damaged
- Multiple four-wheelers destroyed, including a crane and two JCBs
- 33 police officers injured, with three at DCP level
- Five civilians attacked
- Numerous sword attacks reported
- One police officer assaulted with an axe
Authorities have registered five cases in connection with the violence, and security measures have been substantially increased, with Section 144 imposed across 11 police station jurisdictions and five contingents of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) deployed to maintain order.
Deputy CM Shinde Questions Congress Stance
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde added another dimension to the controversy by directly challenging the Congress party’s position. “Who is Aurangzeb? He is a stigma,” Shinde declared, confirming that while the situation in Nagpur had been brought under control, a hospital had been vandalized during the unrest.
Shinde raised pointed questions about the organized nature of the violence, specifically asking, “Where did the attackers get petrol bombs from?” He reinforced the Chief Minister’s characterization of events as a premeditated conspiracy, noting that attackers used petrol bombs and injured approximately 40 police personnel.
In a particularly heated moment, Shinde criticized Congress leaders: “You are comparing the Chief Minister with Aurangzeb? Aurangzeb was a traitor, you are comparing him with Shivaji Maharaj? The Maharashtra Congress President is supporting Aurangzeb, he should apologize for this”.
The government has maintained that the situation is now under control, though tensions remain as investigations continue into what officials describe as a deliberately orchestrated incident designed to inflame religious sensitivities in the region.
