Since the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government came to power at the Centre, Muslims have faced dilemmas for various reasons. Be it the issue of triple talaq, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, or the Waqf Bill, the dice has always seemed stacked against Muslims. In the Lok Sabha elections, except in the States of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, wherever elections were held across the country, parties and leaders who supported Muslims have continued to lag behind. The protests against the Waqf Act in Delhi also failed to gain significant attention, and no one seems to have paid much heed to the opposition’s objections regarding the delimitation process.
Conspiracy by anti-Bharat Forces
The anti-Bharat forces have realised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot be defeated through legal means. As a result, these forces have now resorted to planning violent acts within society. The recent violence in Nagpur, although stemming from desperation, is seen by many as a pre-planned conspiracy, and the police are gathering substantial evidence to support this.
Targeting Police and Civilians
On Monday night (March 17), a fierce altercation took place over Aurangzeb’s tomb in the Mahal area of Nagpur. During this conflict, there was stone-pelting between two groups, and large-scale arson occurred. Police officers, who were dispatched to disperse the crowd, were also targeted with stones. The police conducted a search operation throughout the night, arresting 80 people. Thirty four policemen and five civilians were injured in the incident, and approximately 60 vehicles were set on fire. In response to the situation, a curfew was imposed in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodhara Nagar and Kapil Nagar areas.
Awareness on Aurangzeb’s Atrocities
The issue of the cruel Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is currently a hot topic in the entire State. After watching the movie Chhava, people became aware of the truth about Aurangzeb and his atrocities against Hindus. People across Bharat learned about the violence Aurangzeb inflicted on Hindus, such as forced conversions, destruction of mandirs and the looting of the treasury. During his reign, thousands of Hindu women had to face sexual violence.
Subjecting Sambhaji to Brutal Torture
Aurangzeb’s cruelty towards Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who endured horrific tortures for 40 days rather than convert to Islam, reached unimaginable extremes. But Sambhaji Maharaj did not yield, giving up his life but never his faith. Following the film, there has been a surge in patriotic sentiment and a growing demand to remove Aurangzeb’s grave.
On Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary (March 17), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal organised a protest in front of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Mahal locality, demanding the removal of the tomb of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. A formal request to remove the tomb was submitted on behalf of the delegation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis through the District Magistrate.
Liquidating Guru Tegh Bahadur
According to the statement, the tomb of Aurangzeb, a descendant of the Uzbek foreign invader Babur, is situated in Sambhajinagar. Aurangzeb died in Ahalya Devi Nagar and was later buried in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where a tomb was constructed in his honour. Aurangzeb was responsible for the brutal killing of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the torture and killing of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and the destruction of many mandirs. He massacred thousands of Hindus, and having a monument dedicated to such a violent ruler is seen as a symbol of oppression and suffering. Therefore, the statement demands that Aurangzeb’s tomb be completely destroyed. During the protest, an effigy of Aurangzeb was burned.
In response, people from another community lodged a complaint with the Ganeshpeth police. Taking cognisance of this, the police intervened and attempted to calm both groups. However, a rumor was deliberately spread by radical elements, claiming that the green cloth on which verses from the Quran were written on the tomb had been set on fire. This sparked violence later in the evening. In this context, 55 social media accounts spreading objectionable videos and messages are now under investigation by the police.
Bharatiya Janata Party’s local MLA, Praveen Datke, has alleged that there is a well-planned conspiracy behind the violence. He has also demanded that the police investigate the involvement of extremists in targeting only Hindu colonies and homes. He expressed surprise at the violence, stone-pelting, and arson between Hindus and Muslims, who have coexisted peacefully in the same locality for over 100 years. He also hinted that if this situation continues, Hindus may no longer remain silent.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a statement in the State Assembly, suggesting that the violence might have been pre-planned, as a trolley of stones and unidentified vehicles were found at the site of the incident. He also declared that those who attacked the police would not be spared.
During the vandalism, Hindu women were terrified. Despite seeking help from the police, their phone calls went unanswered. In various colonies, 100 to 250 rioters arrived on two-wheelers, their faces covered with scarves. They set fire to parked vehicles, and before setting houses on fire, they destroyed the CCTV cameras outside these homes.
Chronology of Events
- At 11:30 am, VHP Karyakartas protested in front of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave. The police intervened and halted the protest shortly after
- At 2:30 pm, videos surfaced claiming the burning of the green cloth on Aurangzeb’s symbolic tomb, which was deliberately circulated by extremists on social media
- At 2:30 pm, a large group of Muslims emerged from the mosque at Shivaji Chowk, Attar Oli, shouting slogans and creating chaos in nearby Hindu localities
- At 8:00 pm, mob emerged from Chitnis Park Chowk, protesting the green cloth. The police surrounded the area and deployed additional forces
- At 8:30 pm, the two groups confronted each other, escalating tensions. The police, recognising the seriousness of the situation, ordered the closure of nearby shops
- Chaos ensued with the closure of the shops. Extremists began throwing stones at the police, who responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd
Legitimate Demand for Vijay Smarak
Vishva Hindu Parishad has demanded strict action against the extremists who spread rumors, caused violence, and carried out acts of arson in Nagpur. VHP’s General Secretary Milind Parande condemned the incident, stating that the attacks targeted Hindu homes, even threatening women. He condemned the lie that the Hindu community had burned Quranic verses, while extremists attempted to incite violence. VHP insists that harsh measures be taken against all such anti-social and extremist elements.
The VHP also called for the glorification of Aurangzeb’s grave to be stopped immediately. Strict action should be taken against those responsible for these violent acts.
