Curfew In Nagpur After Violence Over False Rumors Of Sacred Book Burning At VHP's Protest Against Aurangzeb's Tomb

Several areas in Nagpur are now under a curfew due to the outbreak of violence on Monday (17 March), Indian Express reported. The unrest was sparked by rumors that a sacred Islamic text was burnt during a protest calling for the dismantling of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Khuldabad.

The Police Commissioner of Nagpur, Ravinder Singhal, enforced limitations on Monday night under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Samhita (BNSS), which grants the power to issue an order in cases of imminent nuisance or danger. The police clarified that these restrictions would continue to be in effect until they provide additional information.

A curfew is now in effect in the regions governed by the Kotwali, Ganeshpet, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpavli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar police stations. This mandate restricts the movement of people beyond their homes, with the exception of medical emergencies.

The directive further forbids assemblies of over five individuals and restricts the spread of unfounded information. Those who fail to comply will be subjected to penalties as per Section 223 (non-compliance with an order officially issued by a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, as stated in the order.

The demonstration, attended by over 200 members from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal near the Shivaji Maharaj statue in the city, was aimed at demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb. Reportedly, the protesters set an effigy of the Mughal emperor on fire, which instigated the rumors of a holy book being desecrated.

As the gossip proliferated across social media platforms, an alleged illegal assembly of 80-100 individuals reportedly engaged in hurling stones at law enforcement officers. To disperse the unruly crowd in Chitnis Park and Mahal, the police retaliated by firing tear gas shells and initiating a lathi charge, even as the unrest extended to Kotwali and Ganeshpeth, according to officials.

Union Minister and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari, along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also in charge of the Home portfolio, appealed to the public to uphold peace and harmony.

The curfew mandate does not apply to police officers, government employees, essential service workers, fire department staff, and students who are taking exams. The police have stated that they are vigilantly overseeing the situation and implementing all required actions to reestablish normal conditions.