Maharashtra CM calls Nagpur violence pre-planned, Opposition asks Fadnavis to resign

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde calls the incident a ‘conspiracy’; CM Fadnavis claims that the recently released film Chhaava instigated people’s sentiments against Mughal ruler Aurangzeb leading to the arson

The violence in Nagpur led to a political firestorm on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the incident “premeditated”, whereas Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde termed it a conspiracy questioning “where the petrol bombs came from”.

The Opposition criticised the Mahayuti government for not maintaining law and order and blamed them for creating instability. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray asked Mr. Fadnavis to resign if the “double engine government” has failed.

“As stones and other weapons were handy and selected houses were targeted, this seems pre-planned,” said Mr. Fadnavis, adding that multiple incidents of violence were reported in Nagpur.

“In the evening [on Monday], the rumours spread that protestors torched the symbolic grave [of Aurangzeb], having the religious script written on the cloth. After the namaz, at least 200-250 people started raising slogans, saying, ‘will burn everything’, forcing police to take strict action. Police convinced and invited them to Ganeshpeth to file a complaint. Meanwhile, another group of 200 people wearing masks started damaging property in Hansapuri. Around 7.30 p.m., violence erupts in Bhaldarpur,” Mr. Fadnavis said while speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly.

Over 200 members of Hindu outfits Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad took out protests on Monday, which turned violent in Nagpur’s Ganeshpeth, Mahal, and Gandhibagh areas, with stone pelting. The videos of the demonstrations went viral, leading to a dispute between the two communities. The controversy over the Mughal ruler emerged after BJP leader Udayanraje Bhosale demanded the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called the incident a “conspiracy” and asked: “When police mediated and diffused the matter then, how did a mob of 2,000 to 5,000 people assemble at 8 p.m.?” He went on to ask where the petrol bombs had come from. “I have heard, around 150 bikes are stationed in a specific area, but yesterday it was empty. All this reflects a pre-planned conspiracy held to target a particular community,” Mr. Shinde said.

Bharatiya Janata Party State chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Minister Nitesh Rane called the Nagpur violence a “planned incident” to defame the government. Mr. Rane blamed Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for the chaos. “This is Abu Azmi’s fault. The rioters will not be spared. Strict action will be taken,” he added.

In response to this, Opposition leaders slammed Mahayuti for failing to maintain law and order in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray went on to say that the BJP was trying to create a Manipur-like situation in Maharashtra. “The Home Ministry is the first to know when any such incident happens, then why did the Chief Minister’s office not react?”

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also criticised Mr. Fadnavis, who holds the Home porfolio, for doing nothing about it. “The Home Minister’s home and RSS’s headquarters are in Nagpur, then how Hindus are in danger? If this was pre-planned, was your Home department sleeping? The government is trying to hide its failures. We have seen the hypocrisy of their Hindutva. If you have so much hatred, then remove the green colour from your [party] flag,” said Mr. Thackeray, adding that the row over Aurangzeb’s grave is nothing but to create riots.

‘Chhaava provoked people’

Mr. Fadnavis also mentioned that the film Chhaava instigated people’s sentiments against Aurangzeb. Police have detained at least 50 people in connection with the Nagpur violence that erupted on Monday and imposed a curfew.

“Chhaava brought the true history on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to the light. Chhatrapati Sambhaji was tortured and killed by Aurangzeb. The film has ignited people’s emotions and now acting out on their anger against Aurangzeb,” said Mr. Fadnavis.

During the violence, 33 police officials, including three top-ranking officers, were injured, and at least 12 two-wheelers, two JCBs, one truck, and a few cars were damaged. Nagpur police resorted to lathi charge and teargas to disperse the mob at Chitnis Park and Mahal, where the protest took place. Apart from detaining over 50 persons, the police has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

“Curfew is imposed in a few areas, where the mixed community is present to avoid any unforeseen situation. Over 50 people were detained and we are identifying more people, who damaged public property, using CCTV footage, and scrutinising social media as the rumour was spread using online platforms,” said Nagpur Commissioner Ravinder Singal.

Mr. Singal said: “The location where the incident occurred had a construction site, so the stones and bricks were easily available. Police have booked Bajrang Dal and VHP demonstrators under the sections related to hurting religious sentiments.”

The curfew was imposed in 11 police station limits where mixed communities live, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.

Published - March 19, 2025 12:12 am IST