Nagpur Violence: 47 Detained, Curfew Imposed Amid Tensions Over Aurangzeb Tomb Row

In the wake of violence in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Junior Minister for Home (Urban), Yogesh Kadam, confirmed that 47 people have been detained. The violence was triggered by rumors that a holy book had been desecrated during a protest calling for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad. 

The minister said that 12 to 14 police officers sustained injuries, with some suffering ligament tears, while two to three civilians were also injured during the clashes. Kadam clarified that the reason behind the violence remains under investigation. 

He further explained that the situation had been resolved earlier in the day after the police registered FIRs. However, the unrest resurfaced hours later. "The entire matter was resolved in the afternoon after the police station registered the FIRs. However, after five to six hours of gap, a group took to vandalism. Stringent action will be taken on those who took the law into their hands," Kadam added.

Following the violence, a curfew has been imposed in several parts of Nagpur city under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent further unrest. The curfew, enforced in various police station limits such as Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, and others, will remain in place until further notice, according to an official notification from the Nagpur Police.

Tensions flared on Monday when a large group of reportedly 200 to 250 members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal gathered near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal, Nagpur. The protesters rallied for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb and allegedly displayed a symbolic green cloth filled with cow dung cakes while chanting slogans.

Later in the evening, around 80 to 100 people gathered in Bhaldarpura, intensifying the tension. The police noted that the gathering caused significant disruptions to public order. “The gathering caused distress to the public and affected the movement of people on the roads,” stated the official order.

The curfew includes restrictions on people’s movement, with residents advised to stay indoors unless for medical reasons. The order also prohibits gatherings of more than five people and spreading rumors. However, it clarifies that police officers, government employees, students attending essential services, and personnel involved in emergency services are exempt from the restrictions.