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Amid rising tensions sparked by demands from Sangh Parivar organisations to remove Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has strongly opposed such calls. On Tuesday morning, she described these demands as “not right” and warned that they could damage “mutual brotherhood, peace, and harmony.” She urged the Maharashtra government to take decisive action against “unruly elements” responsible for disturbing public order.
Expressing concerns over the deteriorating situation, Mayawati called upon the Mahayuti government to enforce strict measures. “It is not right to damage or break anyone’s grave or mausoleum in Maharashtra because this is spoiling the mutual brotherhood, peace and harmony there. The government should take strict action against such unruly elements, especially in Nagpur. Otherwise, the situation can worsen, which is not right,” she posted on X.
Violent Clashes Erupt in Nagpur
Her statement followed a wave of violence in Nagpur’s Hansapuri area, where unidentified individuals vandalized shops, set vehicles on fire, and hurled stones. This unrest came after a prior altercation in the Mahal area had already escalated tensions in the city.
An eyewitness from Hansapuri described the scene, saying, “A team came here. Their faces were hidden with scarves. They had sharp weapons, stickers, and bottles in their hands. They started the ruckus, vandalized shops, and pelted stones. They also torched vehicles.”
To curb further escalation, authorities have imposed a curfew in several parts of Nagpur under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). According to an official police notification, these restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
Curfew and Government Response
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal issued an order specifying that the curfew applies to multiple police station limits, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.
Reports indicate that on March 17, approximately 200 to 250 members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal assembled near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal, Nagpur, in support of removing Aurangzeb’s grave. Protesters chanted slogans and symbolically displayed a green cloth filled with cow dung cakes. Later, around 80 to 100 individuals gathered in Bhaldarpura, further heightening tensions and disrupting normal life.
To prevent further incidents, the police imposed a “communication ban (curfew)” in the affected areas. “During the lockdown period, no person should go out of the house for any reason other than medical reasons, nor should more than five people gather inside it. Also, orders are passed to prohibit spreading any kind of rumour, prohibiting doing all such acts,” the order stated.
Law enforcement authorities have been empowered to block roads and take necessary action to restore peace. Any individual violating the curfew will be subject to legal consequences under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, exemptions have been granted to on-duty police officers, government officials, students attending essential services, and personnel related to emergency services like the fire brigade.
(With Inputs from ANI)
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