Nagpur witnessed intense communal clashes on March 17 following a protest by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding the removal of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Tensions escalated after protesters burned a photograph of Aurangzeb wrapped in a green cloth, which led to rumors that sacred verses were inscribed on it. By 7:30 PM, violence erupted in Chitnis Park, where mobs hurled stones at police personnel, vandalized houses, and torched vehicles. Eyewitnesses reported that several masked individuals stormed the Old Hislop College area, damaging four cars and attacking residential properties before fleeing the scene. The unrest spread to the Hansapuri locality, where mobs burned vehicles, ransacked a clinic, and destroyed surveillance cameras.

Residents alleged that law enforcement failed to respond in time, exacerbating the violence. Local shopkeeper Sharad Gupta recounted how three masked individuals attempted to break into a house, fleeing only after the residents raised an alarm. Another resident, Chandrakant Kawde, claimed that before the police arrived, attackers had already dismantled CCTV cameras and set fire to decorative items prepared for the upcoming Ramnavami festival. BJP MLA Pravin Datke alleged that the violence was pre-planned and targeted Hindu-owned shops and houses. He further accused the police of failing to protect residents, claiming that his calls to an inspector went unanswered for two hours. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses described the attackers as carrying rods and sharp weapons, systematically vandalizing properties and causing panic across the city.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis labeled the incident a “premeditated conspiracy” and assured strict action against the perpetrators. Addressing the state assembly, he revealed that at least 33 police officers, including three deputy commissioners, sustained injuries during the clashes. One officer was even attacked with an axe. His deputy, Eknath Shinde, suggested that the violence was orchestrated to target a particular community. As a precaution, authorities imposed a curfew in parts of Nagpur to curb further violence and prevent large gatherings. The situation remains tense, with ongoing investigations and security reinforcements in place to prevent further escalation.