Clashes erupted in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Monday night following rumors that a Quran was burned during a protest by right-wing groups advocating for the demolition of the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. In response to the violence, a curfew has been enacted in several parts of the city.

According to an announcement by Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, the curfew affects areas including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar. The curfew will remain in place until further notice.

The unrest began when members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal protested near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. Amid the protest, rumors surfaced that a Quran was set on fire, which incited a mob of around 80 to 100 people who began throwing stones. The violence soon spread to Kotwali and Ganeshpeth, where large groups engaged in extensive stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson.

The situation escalated further, necessitating intervention from security forces. Violence spread to Hansapuri, where shops were vandalized, vehicles were burned, and stones were thrown. Another confrontation occurred near Old Bhandara Road between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM, resulting in several vehicles being torched and damage to homes and a clinic.

Police Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Singal reported that while the situation has now been controlled, several police officers sustained injuries during the altercations. He confirmed that over 50 individuals have been arrested, and efforts are underway to identify additional offenders.

“The situation is under control and calm in Nagpur. More than 50 individuals have been detained, and we are working to identify others responsible for damaging public property. A total of 33 police personnel were injured in the incident. The police response has been commendable, and we will take action against all identified offenders. Forces are deployed in Nagpur to maintain order, and a curfew has been put in place in certain areas. We will convene a meeting with relevant stakeholders to prevent future incidents,” he stated.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari have called for calm as the opposition holds the state government accountable for the violence. Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, criticized the state government and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging, “The Maharashtra government and its Chief Minister, who oversees the home department, are responsible for the violence in Nagpur.”

He accused the government of inciting Hindu-Muslim tensions and claimed such violence would disrupt the lives of both communities, further stating, “The BJP and its allied organizations are attempting to disrupt harmony in the state.”

The controversy surrounding the Aurangzeb tomb escalated after Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi praised the Mughal emperor, which prompted backlash and his suspension from the state assembly. While Azmi later expressed regret for his remarks, several right-wing organizations, including the VHP and Bajrang Dal, have demanded the tomb’s demolition, threatening similar actions to those seen in the Babri Masjid case if the government fails to act.