Nagpur Violence Highlights: Maha CM Fadnavis says, ‘will be dug out from their grave’ those behind attack from police

A combing operation continued in Nagpur’s Bhaldarpura area, an old city locality, on Wednesday evening. According to DCP Zone 3, Mahak Swami, a total of 33 accused have been arrested. Of the 51 individuals named in the FIR registered at Ganeshpeth Police Station, 29 were arrested, while five juveniles were released. Additionally, four people were arrested in connection with five other FIRs, with two more juveniles let go. Over 20 individuals are currently under interrogation. Swami stated that authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and social media posts, and further arrests are expected.

So far, six FIRs have been filed—one before the violence and five after the riots. The charges include Section 353 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaces IPC Section 505 and penalizes statements that incite public disorder or fuel hatred, carrying a maximum sentence of three years. Authorities have also invoked Section 307 of the BNS, which deals with theft involving the use of force or preparation for harm.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis again condemned the Nagpur violence on Wednesday. “Those who attacked police during the arson in Nagpur will be dug out from their graves. Attacks on police are unpardonable. They will get the strictest punishment. We won’t spare them,” Fadnavis said in the Assembly while replying to a debate on the Budgetary demands of the Home department.

Shiv Sena (UBT) has called on the central government on Wednesday to revoke the protected monument status of Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, arguing it would help prevent communal tensions. The demand comes amid recent violence in Nagpur following right-wing protests. The party, through its mouthpiece *Saamana*, accused the BJP and RSS of using the issue for political gains while sidelining the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Sambhaji Maharaj. (PTI)

Eight members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal surrendered to Kotwali police on Wednesday in the Nagpur violence case. The Nagpur police had filed FIRs against them for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The arrests were linked to their protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). The police took them into custody and presented them before the court today

Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised the BJP, alleging it prioritises Aurangzeb over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The party's editorial in Saamana called for removing the protected status of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to prevent riots and ease tensions.

This follows recent violence in Nagpur over demands for the tomb’s demolition.

The Sena (UBT) accused the BJP of using the issue for political gains while ignoring Maharashtra’s historical figures. It also blamed CM Devendra Fadnavis for remaining silent amid growing unrest, as per PTI reports.

RSS national publicity in-charge (Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh), Sunil Ambekar, commenting on Nagpur violence, said, "The issue of Aurangzeb is not relevant at present, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) does not support any form of violence."

He clarified the organisation's stance on the ongoing Aurangzeb controversy in Maharashtra and the recent violence in Nagpur.

Ambekar was speaking at a press conference organized in the backdrop of the upcoming All India Representative Assembly (Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha) of the RSS, which is set to be held in Bengaluru.

On Wednesday, the Judicial Magistrate First Class Court (JMFC) remanded 19 accused in the Nagpur violence case in police custody until March 21.

The Nagpur police presented the accused before the court, seeking their remand for further investigation.

A man accused of taking part in the violence in the old city area of Maharashtra’s Nagpur Monday allegedly inappropriately touched an on-duty woman police officer, according to the First Information Report (FIR) that was filed at an area police station in connection with the violence.

The Nagpur violence accused, the FIR said, also made obscene gestures and misbehaved with some other women, including police personnel, during the incident which reportedly began around 4 pm on March 17 and continued until approximately 11.30 pm.

The FIR, number 0115, was registered on March 18 by Jitendra Baburao Gadge, Sub-Inspector, Ganeshpeth Police Station, who was on duty from 10 am to 9 pm Monday.

Here's what the FIR stated.

Tensions are high in Nagpur after violence broke out on Monday over rumours that a holy book had been desecrated during a demonstration in the city by right-wing outfits seeking the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb located in Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (former Aurangabad) district.

Although everyone's talking about what happened on March 17, tensions have been brewing in the state for about two weeks now, writes our reporter Manoj Dattatrye More.

Ever since Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA and state chief Abu Azmi praised Aurangzeb, sparking fierce backlash and contentious statements from leaders of the ruling Mahayuti, building up to demands for the razing of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

So here's what's been happening since the beginning of March.

Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla held a meeting with district SPs, Inspectors General and Police Commissioners across the state via video conferencing, asking them to take even small instances that could lead to strife seriously and nip such incidents in the bud.

The state police chief also asked police personnel to ensure that more police are visible on the streets and proper bandobast is carried out so that anti-social elements are kept in check.

Earlier in the day, state Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, while speaking on the issue too mentioned that the Nagpur incident was serious and the state DGP had spoken to senior officers across the state to ensure that law and order is maintained.

Read more here.

Curfew continued to be imposed for the second consecutive day in 10 police station limits across Nagpur on Wednesday, a day after over 50 people were taken into custody following the violence in the city that was triggered by protests against Aurangzeb’s tomb.

On Monday, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) staged protests across various government offices and submitted memorandums for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad.

In the memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the VHP stated that Aurangzeb had killed two sons of Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh because they refused to convert, tortured and killed Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and demolished temples in Kashi, Mathura and Somnath.

Slamming the BJP for raking up a “400-year-old issue”, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said the government should raze Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra's Khultabad.

Thackeray was speaking to reporters in Vidhan Bhawan premises, a day after protests against Aurangzeb's tomb triggered violence in Nagpur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' home town.

A day after protests against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb triggered violence in Nagpur, AIMIM's Maharashtra president Imtiaz Jaleel on Tuesday said although a number of films were made in the western countries on World War II, they did not lead to any riots.

His statement comes hours after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the legislative assembly that the violence in Nagpur appeared to be premeditated and that "Chhaava" film reignited people's emotions against Aurangzeb.

The Vicky Kaushal-starrer "Chhaava", based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, brought before the people the true history of the Maratha king, Fadnavis said. PTI

A day after incidents of violence in Nagpur amid calls for removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb, Maharashtra state  Legislative Council on Tuesday witnessed heated verbal exchange between the ruling and opposition legislators.

As Sena UBT MLC and Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Ambadas Danve sought a reply from the ruling side on the law and order situation in the state,  Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asked the opposition why someone should glorify Aurangzeb who is “a blot” on the state’s history.

“Who is Aurangzeb, and why should we allow his glorification in our state? He is a blot on our history,” Shinde said adding Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was executed after he refused an offer by the Mughal ruler to  convert to Islam.

Criticising state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal for comparing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ governance to Aurangzeb’s rule, Shinde retorted, “Did Fadnavis ever torture anyone the way Aurangzeb did to his enemies?” Then, turning towards Anil Parab, he asked, “Did he torture you?”

The Mumbai police have arrested businessman Javed Azam in connection with the Rs 122 crore scam at New India Cooperative Bank, an official said on Tuesday.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the city police held Azam (48) late Monday night, making it the seventh arrest in the case so far, he said.

"During the investigation, the EOW found that Azam had received Rs 18 crore through one of the arrested accused, Unnathan Arunachalam. Azam, a resident of Kandivali, runs a business of electrical goods distribution," the official said.

Unnathan Arunachalam, who was also in the trade of electrical goods, had come in contact with Azam, he said.

Investigation has revealed that Unnathan and his father Manohar Arunachalam siphoned off Rs 33 crore from the bank, he said. PTI

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday said it won't tolerate any attempts at glorification of Aurangzeb after protests against the Mughal emperor's tomb triggered violence in Nagpur.

The administration should take stern action against those responsible for the violence in Nagpur on Monday, VHP Vidarbha Prant Sah Mantri Devesh Mishra told reporters here. Mishra also denied claims of a ‘chadar' with holy inscriptions being burnt during protests led by VHP and Bajrang Dal in Nagpur, which apparently triggered the violence.

The demonstrations in Nagpur were among many held across the state on Monday to demand for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb at Khultabad near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a demand being fanned by BJP and ruling alliance leaders, including by CM Devendra Fadnavis, for the past few days. (PTI)

The VHP on Tuesday condemned the violence in Maharashtra's Nagpur over a demand to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and sought "strictest action" against those involved.

At least 45 people have been arrested in connection with the violence that erupted on Monday, Nagpur district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Tuesday. As many as 34 police personnel and five other persons suffered injuries in the incident, he added. PTI

"The situation in Nagpur is under control, and there is peace in the city at present. We have taken more than 50 people into custody in connection with the violence. We are identifying those responsible for damaging public property," said Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Singhal.

He said that a curfew has been imposed in the jurisdiction of 11 police stations which he described as "mixed population areas" of the city.

Singhal further said, "In this incident, 33 police personnel have been injured...perpetrators of the violence are being identified, and action is being taken against them. All relevant legal provisions will be applied to those who have violated the law. Police and other security forces have been deployed in Nagpur...Meetings will be held with the concerned individuals to ensure that such incidents do not occur again."

Curfew has been imposed in several areas of Maharashtra's Nagpur city after a protest against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb triggered violence here during which several houses and vehicles were vandalised, officials said on Tuesday.

The situation in the city is peaceful at present, they said.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and leaders from the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) targeted the Devendra Fadnavis government over Monday's violence in Nagpur and demanded stringent action against the perpetrators.

Twelve police personnel, including three DCPs (deputy commissioners of police), were injured in the violence, which erupted on Monday evening in central Nagpur, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The police have arrested 15 persons in connection with the violence, he said.

Violence erupted in central Nagpur's Chitnis Park area in Mahal on Monday around 7.30 pm, with stones hurled at police amid rumours that the holy book of a community was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing body for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb (located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district), officials earlier said. (PTI)

The Opposition in Maharashtra protested outside the Legislative building today, demanding to ouster of BJP minister Nitesh Rane who allegedly made provocative statements which led to the violence in Nagpur.

Meanwhile, Raje Mudhoji Bhosale, a member of the royal family of Nagpur, said, "It is a very sad incident. Such an incident never happened in Nagpur's history. Those responsible should be punished and the administration should also ensure that such an incident never happen again. Whatever happened in the morning was not taken seriously which resulted in such a big incident in the evening. Several vehicles were damaged, houses were attacked. I don't think locals were involved in this. Some anti-social elements along with outsiders must have been involved."

Vehicles were torched and police fired tear gas shells at mobs in Nagpur Monday following violence over rumours that a holy book had been desecrated during a demonstration in the city by right wing outfits, including Bajrang Dal, seeking removal of the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Khuldabad.

At least four policemen were injured in the clashes. Police officers said a group of protesters had burnt an effigy of Aurangzeb but this led to rumours of a holy book being desecrated, and video clips began doing the rounds of social media.

Nagpur Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal, according to news agency PTI, said: “A photograph was set on fire, which instigated people. A case was registered regarding this, and an investigation is underway. Later, clashes broke out. Some police personnel have been injured, but no one sustained any serious injuries.”

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, said, “I appeal to people not to fall prey to rumours. Everybody should maintain peace. The administration is taking all necessary measures.”

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said the people still praising Aurangzeb are "traitors", noting the Mughal emperor had sought to conquer the state and committed various atrocities.

On the other hand, Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the "divine force" who stood for valour, sacrifice and the spirit of Hindutva, Shinde said on Monday night on the occasion of 'Shiv Jayanti'.

His remarks come amid demands from some right-wing outfits for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb located in the state's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Speaking at the statue unveiling event here, Shinde said Shivaji Maharaj was not only a symbol of Hindutva and Indian pride, but also the "inventor of democracy".

The Shiv Sena leader also condemned Aurangzeb's atrocities against Maharashtra, particularly the execution of Shivaji Maharaj's son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

"Aurangzeb came to seize Maharashtra, but he faced the divine power of Shivaji Maharaj. Those who still sing his praises are nothing but traitors," Shinde said. "Shiv Chhatrapati is the pride of a united India and the roar of Hindutva. Shivaji Maharaj was a visionary leader, a man of the era, a promoter of justice, and a king of the commoners," he said. (PTI)