NAGPUR: A wave of violence swept through Nagpur on Monday, as protests demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad escalated into communal clashes. What began as a demonstration by groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, spiralled into chaos with stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism, prompting authorities to impose a curfew and deploy heavy police forces to restore order.

The unrest erupted near the Shivaji Maharaj statue in the Mahal area of Nagpur, where around 250 members of VHP and Bajrang Dal gathered to demand the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb, located approximately 200 kilometres away in Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The demonstrators burned an effigy of the Mughal emperor, a symbolic act tied to grievances over his historical legacy, including conflicts with the Marathas and the destruction of Hindu temples.

Tensions flared when untruth rumours of desecration circulated during the protest. Bajrang Dal representatives denied these claims, asserting that only the effigy was burned. However, the rumour triggered a violent backlash, with mobs clashing in the Chitnis Park and Hansapuri areas. Vehicles were torched, shops vandalized, and stones hurled at police, injuring at least nine people, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Niketan Kadam, who sustained serious injuries.

By Monday evening, the violence had spread, with reports of 40-50 vehicles, including two JCB machines and police vans, set ablaze. Police resorted to tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowds. Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal described the situation as "under control" by late Monday, though he acknowledged the severity of the unrest. Authorities imposed a curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across multiple areas and enforced Section 144, prohibiting large gatherings.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the violence and appealed for peace, "I appeal to people not to fall prey to rumours."  Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urged citizens to maintain calm, emphasizing Nagpur’s history of communal harmony. 

Police have arrested at least 50 individuals involved in the rioting, with reports of up to 65 detentions by late Monday. The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a detailed report on the incident.  Section 144 has been imposed in the area, and the police have directed people not to step out unnecessarily. Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal assured the residents of Nagpur that the violence is under control and that the situation is now peaceful. 

The protests in Nagpur are part of a broader campaign by right-wing groups across Maharashtra, with VHP and Bajrang Dal holding protests across Marathwada against the tomb. Similar demonstrations were reported in Pune, Mumbai suburbs, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The violence has drawn attention to Nagpur’s reputation as a peaceful city, with local leaders expressing shock at the unrest. As investigations continue, the city braces for the aftermath of a day that shattered its long-standing peace.