A curfew has been imposed in parts of Nagpur city in Maharashtra state after violence erupted following Hindu groups’ demands to remove the tomb of Aurangzeb, a 17th-Century Mughal emperor.
Monday night’s unrest in the Mahal area saw vehicles set ablaze and stone-throwing incidents. Police report the situation is now under control and are urging calm.
Aurangzeb’s tomb, located approximately 500km from Nagpur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district (formerly Aurangabad), has become a contentious political issue in recent years.
The violence followed demonstrations by two Hindu organizations, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, who burned an effigy of the emperor while demanding the tomb’s removal, according to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Fadnavis told the state assembly that rumors of religious desecration spread, leading to what appeared to be “a well-planned attack.” He reported that following evening prayers, about 250 Muslim men gathered and began shouting slogans, prompting police intervention when threats to burn vehicles emerged.
Nagpur police commissioner Ravinder Singal confirmed over 50 people have been detained and 33 police officers were injured. Central Nagpur businesses remain closed as security has been intensified throughout the city.
Opposition parties have criticized the BJP-led state government, claiming “law and order in the state has collapsed.”
The recent unrest has been attributed to a Bollywood film depicting Maratha ruler Sambhaji’s torture after his defeat by Aurangzeb. Fadnavis stated the movie has “ignited people’s anger against Aurangzeb.”
Earlier controversy arose when regional politician Abu Azmi suggested Aurangzeb was not a “cruel administrator” and had “built many temples.” After claiming his remarks were misinterpreted, Azmi was suspended from the state assembly and investigated.
In 2022, Aurangzeb’s tomb was closed to visitors after a politician questioned “the need for its existence.” That same year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to “Aurangzeb’s atrocities” and “terror,” stating “He tried to change civilization by the sword.”
Aurangzeb ruled India for nearly five decades (1658-1707) as the sixth Mughal emperor. While known as a devout Muslim who lived ascetically, he was also known for expanding the empire, imposing strict sharia laws, and implementing discriminatory taxes. Though accused of destroying Hindu temples, some historians note he also constructed some.
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