Conflict demanding removal of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb's tomb; situation brought under control

MUMBAI: The situation in Nagpur is under control after clashes erupted during a protest demanding the removal of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's tomb. The violence broke out around 7:30 PM last night at Chitnis Park in Nagpur. The protest was organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb. The violence was triggered by false rumours that religious sentiments were being hurt during the protest.

A total of 33 people, including 15 police officers, were injured, and several vehicles were damaged. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleged that the violence was pre-planned. Maharashtra Home Minister Yogesh Kadam said that 47 people have been taken into police custody in connection with the incident.

Following the clashes, a curfew was imposed in various police station limits within Nagpur city under Section 163 of the BNSS. Security was also tightened in Khuldabad and surrounding areas of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, where Aurangzeb’s tomb is located. As a precautionary measure, Milind Ekbote, leader of the Dharma Veer Sambhaji Maharaj Pratishthan organization, was barred from entering the district.

During the clashes, miscreants vandalized four cars and several houses in the Old Hislop College area. They broke windows with stones and then fled the scene. The attackers, who wore masks, were armed with sharp weapons and sticks. There are allegations that the police arrived an hour after the incident.

The strong emotions against Aurangzeb stem from the fact that he fought two decades of war with the Marathas and executed Sambhaji, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The demand for the tomb's removal is backed by this sentiment. In 2022, the Maharashtra government renamed Aurangabad district as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The protests intensified again after the recent release of the Bollywood film ‘Chhava’, which is based on Sambhaji’s life.