Thu Mar 20 18:41:25 UTC 2025: ## Nagpur Violence: Sedition Charges Filed, Social Media Probe Underway, Tomb Protected

**Nagpur, Maharashtra –** Six individuals, including Fahim Khan, the city chief of the Minority Democratic Party, have been charged with sedition following Monday’s communal violence in Nagpur. The arrests come as authorities investigate the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, which is believed to have fueled the unrest. Curfew restrictions, imposed after the violence, have been lifted or eased in parts of the city.

The Nagpur police’s cyber crime department has requested information from Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube to identify and block approximately 230 accounts suspected of spreading inflammatory content. Police allege that videos initially shared online, followed by those glorifying the violence, were instrumental in escalating the situation. The initial trigger appears to have been rumors regarding the desecration of a religious artifact during protests demanding the removal of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad.

Amidst these developments, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken protective measures at Aurangzeb’s tomb, shielding two sides of the 18th-century structure with tin sheets following calls for its demolition by right-wing groups.

The film “Chhava,” which depicts the execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has come under scrutiny. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, a Barelvi sect cleric, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging a ban on the film, claiming it incited communal tensions and directly contributed to the Nagpur violence. This sentiment was echoed by others, though the Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for blaming the film, suggesting it demonstrated weakness. The Maharashtra Cyber department has identified over 140 posts and videos containing objectionable content aimed at inciting unrest.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the violence, emphasizing India’s unity in diversity. She also noted that her INDIA alliance partner, Uddhav Thackeray, would comment on the situation. Authorities are urging citizens to be cautious when sharing information online and to avoid spreading unverified or inflammatory content.

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