Mumbai (Maharashtra), March 18: Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, expressed his concern over the violence that erupted in Nagpur on March 17, calling the incident “unfortunate” and appealing to the public to maintain peace. He further stated that the police are investigating whether the unrest was part of a “pre-planned conspiracy.”
“The incident which occurred in Nagpur is unfortunate. Police are investigating if this was a pre-planned conspiracy. Four Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-level officers were injured in the incident. The Chief Minister is reviewing the situation. Police have mentioned that many people came from outside and that petrol bombs were also hurled. It is unfortunate that the police were also attacked. Strict action will be taken in this incident,” Shinde said to reporters on Tuesday.
He also urged people to refrain from inciting violence between communities. “Who is Aurangzeb? Is he a saint? Has he done any good work? One should read the history of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and watch ‘Chhava’ movies. They tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days. Aurangzeb was a traitor. Aurangzeb’s grave is a blot on Maharashtra. The protestors are protesting for the pride of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,” he added.
The violence in Nagpur stemmed from tensions surrounding demands for the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave, which led to a curfew being imposed in multiple areas under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The curfew, effective immediately, covers police station areas including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.
On March 17, around 200 to 250 members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal gathered near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal to demand the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave. The protestors raised slogans and displayed a symbolic green cloth with cow dung cakes. Later in the evening, another gathering of 80 to 100 people in Bhaldarpura caused disturbances, leading to the curfew and restrictions on movement in the area.
Authorities have warned that anyone violating the curfew could face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).