Violence Erupts In Nagpur Over Quran Burning Rumours, 20 Detained, Fadnavis Calls For Calm

Communal tension in Nagpur erupted after rumors of Quran burning during a right-wing protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb. Rioting ensued, with stone-throwing, vehicle burning, and injuries.

By : ABP Live News | Updated at : 18 Mar 2025 12:06 AM (IST)

Nagpur: Police in action after clashes following the VHP-Bajrang Dal protest, in Nagpur, Monday, March 17, 2025.
Source : PTI

Tension gripped central Nagpur on Monday after stones were hurled at the police amid rumours that the Quran was burnt during a protest by a right-wing organisation demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, officials said. The violence left four persons injured, prompting the police to fire tear gas shells and resort to a cane charge to disperse the mob in Chitnis Park and Mahal areas. 

According to officials, the violence spread to Kotwali and Ganeshpeth by late afternoon, with the Chitnis Park to Shukrawari Talao road belt being the worst affected, news agency PTI reported. Rioters reportedly set fire to some four-wheelers, and stones were also thrown at residents' homes. Thousands of people were allegedly part of the mob, leading to heightened tensions. 

The unrest began in the afternoon when Bajrang Dal members staged a demonstration near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in the Mahal area. Soon after, rumours of the Quran being burnt during the agitation spread, triggering outrage among the Muslim community. Videos of the demonstration circulated on social media, further escalating the situation. A complaint was subsequently filed at the Ganeshpeth police station, alleging the burning of the holy book.

Following the complaint, large gatherings of Muslim community members were reported in Mahal, Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, and Chitnis Park. Sensing trouble, the police intensified patrolling and deployed additional security forces to maintain order.

"Stones were thrown at police personnel in Chitnis Park and Mahal, following which we had to use tear gas shells," an official said, as quoted by PTI. Reports of violence were also received from other parts of the city.

Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal office-bearers denied the allegations, claiming they had only burnt an effigy of Aurangzeb as part of their protest.

A Fire Brigade official told news agency ANI, "Two JCBs were set ablaze and a few more vehicles were also impacted. One fireman is injured..."

Nagpur Commissioner of Police Ravindra Singhal confirmed that the violence occurred between two groups and that the situation was now under control. "Some people have sustained injuries, but the exact number is yet to be determined. We are assessing the damage to vehicles and investigating how the mob gathered and whether there was any conspiracy behind this incident," Singhal stated.

Nagpur Police has issued prohibitory orders in the city after the stone painting and arson incident in the Mahal area. More than 20 have been detained till now, ANI reported.

Police are looking into the CCTV footage and other video clips available with them to identify the culprits, an FIR in the matter is under process. Police have also appealed to maintain peace in the city and cooperate in maintaining the law and order in Nagpur, as per ANI.

Nagpur Violence: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari Appeal For Peace

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged people to maintain peace and not believe in rumours. "The manner in which the situation became tense in Mahal area of Nagpur is highly condemnable. A few people pelted stones, even at the Police. This is wrong. I am keeping an eye on the situation. I have told the Police Commissioner to take whatever strict steps are necessary to maintain law and order. If someone riots or pelts stones at Police or creates tensions in society, strict action should be taken against all such people," Fadnavis said.

"I appeal to everyone to behave to ensure that the peace of Nagpur is not disturbed. If someone attempts to create tension, very strict action will be taken against them," he added.

Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Nagpur Nitin Gadkari also appealed for peace and urged people to refrain from spreading unrest. "Due to certain rumors, a situation of religious tension has arisen in Nagpur. The city's history is known for maintaining peace in such matters. I urge all my brothers not to believe in any kind of rumours and to maintain peace. Do not come out onto the streets. Cooperate with the law and order system. Preserve the tradition of peace and harmony that Nagpur is known for," he said in a video posted on X.

"I assure you all that the government will take action against those who have committed mistakes or engaged in illegal activities. The Chief Minister has already been informed about this situation, so I request everyone not to pay attention to rumours. Please cooperate with the police administration, foster love, and maintain a positive atmosphere in the city. This is my humble request to all of you," he added.

Nagpur Central BJP MLA Pravin Datke alleged that "outsiders" orchestrated the violence. "A large number of people from outside planned and executed this violence. Fadnavis Ji is keeping a close watch on the situation. Heavy police deployment is in place, and those responsible for the violence will not be spared. There has been significant loss of life and property, and several police personnel have been injured," Datke said. He also stated that he would be travelling to Nagpur by night or early morning.

Nagpur Violence: Congress Slams Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, Minister Bawankule Appeals Against Politicisation

Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal called the stone pelting and arsoning in Nagpur "extremely unfortunate." "I urge all residents of Nagpur not to trust the rumours. Nagpurkars should maintain peace. In Nagpur, people of all religions live with great joy and happiness," he remarked, as per ANI.

He slammed CM Devendra Fadnavis saying, "Nagpur is the city of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. It is a failure of the Home Department that there is such a stress in this city, stone pelting and arson, and the Police did not have any intel about it. For the past few days, the cabinet minister of the state has been trying to create social agony by making provocative statements. His efforts seem to have succeeded in Nagpur."

"The state has many burning questions. Inflation, unemployment, agricultural and unfulfilled promises of the government's loan waiver. This is a matter of the fact that the ruling party was constantly making provocative statements to divert attention from this. Nagpur is a city of social harmony. There was never a riot in Nagpur. Hindus-Muslims pull the chariot together during Ramnavami. In the Dargah of Tajuddin Baba, more Hindus than Muslims are seen," he emphasised.

Congress leader Pawan Khera echoed his remarks to question the Maharashtra government as he said, "Riot broke out in Mahal area of Nagpur, the hometown of Maharashtra CM. Nagpur is a 300-year-old city. In these 300 years of history, no riot has occurred in Nagpur. We should all ask why such a situation formed. There is BJP in power in both Centre and State. If VHP and Bajrang Dal organised a protest demanding the removal of the tomb of Aurangzeb, did the Government make no arrangements to maintain law and order?"

"Congress party and all of us appeal to the people of Nagpur to maintain peace. A game is being played and the 300-year-old history is being turned into an issue. Don't fall victim to this game, maintain peace, as that is in our interest. A few political parties provocate people and think that their political interests lie in this. We have to avoid such politics. Peace is important for us," he added.

Maharashtra Minister and State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated, "First priority is to restore peace in society and keep it away from rumours. An investigation will later reveal why the unrest occurred. But the people of Nagpur should not believe rumours and support Police administration. Police are trying to maintain peace. All of us have urged everyone to maintain peace and uphold the prestige of Nagpur city."

He urged all political parties and politicians of Maharashtra to come together and make an effort to restore peace and "make people understand that rioters will be identified by police." Bawankule also appealed to parties to ensure that the incident is not politicised.

With the situation tense, security has been significantly strengthened in sensitive areas, with Quick Response Teams (QRT), Riot Control Police, and the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) deployed. Additional police personnel from different stations have also been called in to maintain order.

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Published at : 17 Mar 2025 10:18 PM (IST)
Tags :
Nagpur Bajrang Dal Quran Aurangzeb Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis BJP Congress Nitin Gadkari Breaking News Chandrashekhar Bawankule ABP Live Pawan Khera Nagpur Violence Harshvardhan Sapkal

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