"Nagpur Violence Was a 'Planned Conspiracy,' Says Maharashtra BJP Chief"
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday alleged that the violence in Nagpur was the result of a "conspiracy" aimed at disrupting communal harmony in the city. He emphasized that Nagpur, known for its 300-year-old tradition of brotherhood, has always maintained peace among all communities.
"The Maharashtra government is committed to ensuring peace across the state. However, some conspiracy was hatched, leading to this unfortunate incident. The police are investigating the root cause of this violence," Bawankule said.
The violence erupted on March 17 night, leading to 34 police personnel being injured and over 40-45 vehicles vandalized. Several civilians also sustained injuries in the clashes.
With the opposition accusing the BJP-led Mahayuti government of failing to control the situation, Bawankule clarified that both ruling and opposition parties must avoid inflammatory statements that could further escalate tensions.
"We have instructed everyone to refrain from making statements that could worsen the situation. Both the ruling side and the opposition must ensure that peace is maintained," he added.
However, tensions flared in the Maharashtra Assembly, with the opposition blaming the government for allowing riots to escalate, while ruling MLAs accused certain groups of glorifying Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
"We see some people trying to glorify Aurangzeb. This will not be tolerated," BJP MLAs countered.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leaders staged protests, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb, which has been at the center of the controversy.
🚨 Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal confirmed that:
✅ Curfew has been imposed across 11 police station limits.
✅ Over 50 people have been detained so far.
✅ CCTV footage & social media posts are being analyzed to identify more suspects.
"The situation is peaceful now, and curfew is in place to maintain law and order. Our officers were present from the beginning of the unrest, and unfortunately, 33 policemen were injured while trying to contain the violence," Singal said.
Bawankule also assured that police are monitoring social media accounts to track any attempts to spread misinformation.
"We will find those responsible for this violence. I urge people of all communities to cooperate with the police and ensure such incidents are not repeated," he stated.
📌 Curfew has been enforced in the following areas:
The restrictions will remain in place until further notice under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent further escalation.
The Nagpur Police have also been authorized to block roads and take legal action against violators. Anyone violating curfew orders could face punishment under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
With tensions running high, both the BJP-led government and opposition parties have urged people to maintain calm and avoid falling for misinformation.
Bawankule reiterated that "the priority is to restore peace," while opposition leaders have demanded strict action against those responsible for inciting violence.
The police investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days as authorities work to uncover the "conspiracy" behind the riots.
With curfew in effect and heightened security, the focus remains on ensuring peace returns to Nagpur.
This post was published on March 18, 2025 12:29 pm
