Authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of Nagpur following violent clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups over the tomb of 17th-century Mughal ruler Emperor Aurangzeb, police reported on Tuesday. The unrest erupted on Monday night when members of the right-wing Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) burned an effigy of Aurangzeb and his tomb, demanding its removal from the city of Aurangabad.
The violence escalated when Muslim groups staged a protest near a police station, allegedly throwing stones at security personnel. The resulting clashes left several injured and caused significant property damage, with vehicles torched and 15 police officers wounded. One officer remains in critical condition, according to a senior police official.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the violence and urged police to take strict action to restore order. Meanwhile, the VHP denied involvement in the violence, stating they were only advocating for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb and its replacement with a memorial for Maratha rulers.
Eyewitnesses reported that some attackers were masked and armed with sharp weapons, according to local news agency ANI. Nagpur, known as the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has a history of religious tensions, and the situation remains tense, with police maintaining patrols to prevent further unrest.
