‘Nagpur violence pre-planned… selected houses, establishments targeted’: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis

Fadnavis said the film Chhaava, based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, depicted real history. “The emotions of people are overflowing and they are showing anger against Aurangzeb. Despite this, we must show restraint. Maharashtra is getting investment, and we will get it if we manage to keep law and order. I warn everyone that anyone who will disturb the law and order will not be spared,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, speaking in the Legislative Council about the Nagpur violence, turned to the Opposition and said: “Who is Aurangzeb? And why should we allow his glorification in our state? He is a blot on our history.”

In the Assembly, Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, said, “After the morning incident (demonstration seeking removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb), there was silence. By evening, some people attacked in a planned manner. We found a trolley full of stones. Weapons were also found… Selected houses and establishments were targeted.”

“This seems like a planned incident. No one will be spared. Those who attacked police will not be spared at any cost. It will not be tolerated. The police were trying to maintain peace,” he said.

He appealed to people to maintain restraint. “This is a period when festivals of all religions are ongoing. Everyone must keep patience and respect others,” he said.

Narrating what had happened in Nagpur Monday, Fadnavis said VHP and Bajrang Dal workers protested at 11.30 am in the Mahal area, demanding the removal of the tomb of Aurangazeb, and burnt a replica.

“By evening, a rumour spread that the replica had a sheet with religious text. A mob of 200-300 became aggressive and shouted slogans,” he said.

“Before that, those who wanted to file a case against the Bajrang Dal were called to Ganeshpeth police station. While police action was on, around 200-300 people started stone pelting with lathis and a dozen two-wheelers were damaged and some people were attacked,” he said.

In the third incident, a mob of 80-100 people attacked the police in the Bhaldarpura area, and more vehicles were damaged. “In this incident, 33 policemen were injured which includes 3 DCP rank officers and one of them was attacked with an axe. Around 5 citizens were injured, and one of them is in the ICU,” he said.

According to Fadnavis, three cases have been filed at the Ganeshpeth police station, and two at the Tehsil police station.

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar told reporters: “It is unfortunate that arson and stone-pelting took place in a peaceful city like Nagpur. For the past few days, a minister has been constantly fiddling, his statements have created a dispute between two communities. If this minister had been stopped in time, this would not have happened.”

Wadettiwar was referring to Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane. On Tuesday, the Opposition held a protest outside the legislative building, demanding Rane’s ouster.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and MLC Uddhav Thackeray slammed the state government over the Nagpur violence. “The house of Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis is in Nagpur. The RSS headquarters is also there. So how come ‘Hindu is under threat’ in Nagpur? What have you done in so many years? If the riots were premeditated, was your Home Department sleeping? If the Home Department had heard that this conspiracy was brewing, did it ignore it? Many such questions arise,” he said.