Nagpur remains on edge following the imposition of a curfew after protests over the tomb of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb led to violent clashes in the city. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asserted that the violence was premeditated, attributing it to the heightened emotions stirred by the release of the film Chhava, which portrays the brutal atrocities committed by Aurangzeb against Sambhaji Maharaj.

1. During a session in the Maharashtra assembly, Fadnavis revealed that 33 police officers, including three deputy commissioners, were injured in the unrest, with one senior official being attacked with an axe.
2. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde indirectly criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab, sparking a heated debate between the ruling and opposition parties in the state legislative council on Tuesday. Shinde questioned, “Who is Aurangzeb? Why should we allow the glorification of someone who is a blot on our history?”
3. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale attributed the unrest to the movie Chhava, which he said stirred strong emotions about the 17th-century Mughal emperor. “Though the grave has existed for 500 years, the portrayal of how Aurangzeb murdered Sambhaji Maharaj in the film has sparked outrage,” Athawale explained.
4. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded strict action against those involved in the violence. VHP General Secretary Milind Parande accused a particular community of instigating attacks and arson. “Houses of Bajrang Dal workers were targeted, and many homes were attacked,” Parande stated, condemning the violence in the strongest terms.
5. Chhattrapati Sambhajinagar district’s collector, Dilip Swami, assured that the situation there remained “peaceful” and noted that Bajrang Dal members had submitted a petition. He also mentioned that police forces were on high alert.
6. Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray lashed out at the Mahayuti government, accusing the BJP of attempting to turn Maharashtra into a situation similar to Manipur. “Why didn’t the Chief Minister’s Office respond when rumors of violence were circulating in Nagpur? Whenever such incidents are about to happen, the CM and Home Department are usually informed first. Was there no information? It seems the BJP wants to make Maharashtra the next Manipur,” Thackeray said.
7. Opposition parties, including Congress, AAP, and TMC, have blamed the BJP for inciting the violence. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, “The BJP has been trying to spread hatred in Nagpur and across Maharashtra for a long time. As long as the BJP is in power, peace will be elusive in India.”
8. Nagpur’s Guardian Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, pointed to social media as a factor in exacerbating tensions and urged the opposition not to politicize the issue. Bawankule, after holding a review meeting with the police commissioner and district collector, appealed to all communities to maintain peace and harmony.