Tue Mar 18 12:42:45 UTC 2025: ## Nagpur Erupts in Violence Amidst Aurangzeb Grave Dispute

**Nagpur, Maharashtra –** Violence erupted in Nagpur, Maharashtra on Monday evening, leaving nearly 40 injured and causing widespread property damage. The unrest stemmed from a dispute surrounding the grave of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, with accusations of a pre-planned conspiracy flying between the ruling BJP and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The violence began after a hardline Hindu group, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), reportedly burned a symbolic representation of Aurangzeb’s grave. This sparked clashes, leading to arson, vandalism of homes and shops, and the torching of vehicles. Police reported that at least a dozen police officers were injured, along with two civilians. 47 individuals have been detained.

Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, attributed the violence to a rumour and a pre-planned conspiracy, blaming the recent release of the Marathi film “Chhava” (depicting Maratha battles with Aurangzeb) for fueling tensions. He also claimed that approximately 250 Muslims arrived at the VHP protest site and threatened violence after the rumour spread.

However, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and his son Aaditya Thackeray, along with the Congress, vehemently rejected the BJP’s claims. They pointed to the incident’s location – near the RSS headquarters – and accused the BJP of orchestrating the controversy to deflect attention from the state government’s failings, alleging an attempt to create a “Manipur-like situation” in Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray sarcastically suggested that if the government truly wanted to remove Aurangzeb’s grave, it should consult with BJP allies Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) and Nitish Kumar (Bihar) due to the significant Muslim populations in those states. He also highlighted the fact that Aurangzeb was born in Gujarat.

Aaditya Thackeray echoed these sentiments, criticizing the BJP’s response and accusing them of resorting to violence when unable to govern effectively. The irony, he added, is that Aurangzeb’s grave is a centrally-protected monument.

While the situation has calmed down, a curfew and prohibitory orders remain in place in several areas of Nagpur. The incident has ignited a fierce political battle, with both sides trading accusations of conspiracy and incitement.

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