Nagpur witnessed a night of chaos earlier this week as violent clashes erupted over the demand to demolish Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. The violence spiraled out of control when a mob of over 1,000 people went on a rampage, pelting stones, vandalizing shops, and torching vehicles. Amid the mayhem, female police officers were assaulted while trying to control the situation. An FIR registered at Ganeshpeth Police Station states that a woman officer was allegedly molested, her uniform torn as rioters attempted to disrobe her. Other female officers also faced harassment, with reports of obscene gestures directed at them. ACP Anita More was among those injured in the attack, as she was pelted with stones while attempting to restore order.
The violence was triggered by rumors that a religious book belonging to the Muslim community had been burned during a protest by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad. The demonstration escalated when effigies of Aurangzeb and a religious chadar were allegedly burned, fueling tensions with the opposing community. By evening, nearly 1,000 people took to the streets, engaging in large-scale stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism. Several police officers were injured, with one DCP reportedly attacked by a 15-year-old wielding an axe. Authorities responded by imposing an indefinite curfew in sensitive areas, while nearly 60 rioters were arrested and 17 others detained.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged citizens to maintain peace and assured that the government would take strict action against those responsible for the violence. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who represents Nagpur in Parliament, called for calm, stating that the administration was actively addressing the situation. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Aditya Thackeray and Pawan Khera, have criticized the state government for failing to maintain law and order. The city remains tense, with heavy police deployment in affected areas as officials work to restore normalcy.
