'Well-Planned Attack': Maharashtra CM Fadnavis On Nagpur Violence, Appeals For Peace Amid 'Anger Against Aurangzeb'

Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis spoke about the Nagpur violence in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (18 March) and suspected that the attack was pre-planned.

The violence erupted after rumours that things containing religious content were burnt during Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal's protests against Aurangzeb's tomb.

"It looks like a well-planned attack. No one has permission to take law and order into their hands," Fadnavis said asserting that attacks on Police will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken.

Notably, 12 to 14 policemen sustained injuries in the violence including four police officers of the DCP level. 47 people have been detained so far, MoS Home Yogesh Kadam said.

Fadnavis also mentioned Vicky Kaushal's recent movie Chhava, based on the life of Sambhaji Maharaj who was brutally killed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

"The movie has ignited people’s anger against Aurangzeb still, everyone must keep Maharashtra peaceful," Fadnavis appealed as the demands for the removal of Aurangzeb's mosque gained traction after the movie.

Reportedly, the protesters set an effigy of the Mughal emperor on fire, which instigated the rumors of a holy book being desecrated, leading to the violence.

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.