March 17th, 2025 || TC - Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal urged citizens to stay calm and cooperate with the authorities to ensure peace and maintain law and order. He explained that the clashes began after a photo was set on fire, but calm was restored soon after. The police have filed a case and the investigation is ongoing. However, tensions escalated when a group of people gathered and engaged in a verbal confrontation.
Singal assured the public that police forces, including senior officers, State Reserve Police, and Rapid Action Force personnel, have been deployed to restore order. He acknowledged incidents of stone-pelting and stated that the police are taking action by apprehending those responsible.
He appealed to citizens not to believe any rumors and reminded them that the police are actively on the ground. He also advised people to stay home unless necessary and to contact the control room if needed. Singal mentioned that he has informed senior officials, including the state Director General of Police and Additional Director General of Police, about the situation and the steps being taken.
According to police sources, two groups clashed violently in the Mahal area of Nagpur over the issue of the destruction of Aurangzeb’s grave. The situation worsened with stone pelting and arson from both sides, resulting in injuries to a few police officers.
Earlier in the day, members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad had held a protest at Shivaji Chowk, demanding the demolition of Aurangzeb’s grave. During the protest, they burned an effigy of Aurangzeb and tore a poster, which contributed to the tensions in Mahal.
Additional police forces were deployed to control the situation, and the violence was eventually brought under control. However, clashes reignited in the evening, with stone pelting and arson. Police had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd and maintain order. Fire brigade and police personnel were heavily targeted with stones, and several vehicles were damaged. There were also reports of knives being thrown at the police.
In response to the violence, Ambadas Danve, the leader of the opposition in the state council, criticized the state government for creating tensions by fueling divisions between the Hindu and Muslim communities. He questioned the state government’s response, despite the fact that both the chief minister and home minister are from Nagpur.
NCP’s Rohit Pawar also condemned the state government, accusing them of causing violence in Nagpur. He expressed that the government’s actions—especially the provocative statements made by ministers—were responsible for the riots. He further stated that the government is to blame for the violence, which led to loss of lives, damaged vehicles, and burning of houses. Pawar demanded the removal of the ministers who have caused religious and communal tensions.
Pawar emphasized that instead of addressing key issues like those facing farmers, workers, students, and the unemployed, the government has diverted attention by encouraging religious and communal agitations. He urged the people of Maharashtra to reject such divisions and maintain peace, as they are the ones who suffer the consequences of such conflicts.