Tue Mar 18 21:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Nagpur Violence Erupts Amidst Aurangzeb Grave Controversy
**Nagpur, Maharashtra:** Violence erupted in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Monday night, leaving nearly 40 injured and causing widespread property damage after a protest over the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave. The clashes, which involved arson and vandalism, followed a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demonstration where a symbolic representation of the grave was burned. While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the violence to a premeditated conspiracy fueled by rumors and the recent film “Chhaava,” opposition parties blamed the ruling BJP.
Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray questioned the need for conflict over a historical figure who died over 300 years ago, sarcastically suggesting the grave’s removal and referencing BJP allies in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, highlighting the political sensitivities surrounding the issue. His son, Aaditya Thackeray, accused the BJP of orchestrating the controversy to distract from governance failures and attempting to incite communal violence, drawing parallels to the situation in Manipur.
The violence, which saw homes and shops vandalized and vehicles set ablaze, prompted a heavy police response. At least 47 people have been detained, and several police officers were injured. The irony, noted by Aaditya Thackeray, is that Aurangzeb’s grave is a protected historical monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
The incident sparked a political blame game, with the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance accusing the opposition of orchestrating the violence, while the opposition countered by pointing to the location of the violence near the RSS headquarters. The Congress also condemned the violence, accusing the ruling party of spreading hatred.
While the situation has calmed, a curfew and prohibitory orders remain in place in several areas as investigations continue. The incident underscores the deep-seated tensions and political polarization surrounding historical figures in India.
First Piper 