Nagpur, Maharashtra—A city known for its political prominence is now making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Violent clashes erupted in multiple areas of Nagpur on March 17, 2025, following right-wing protests demanding the removal of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. The protest, led by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), quickly escalated, leading to stone-pelting, arson, and injuries to several individuals, including police officers.
The Spark: A Protest That Turned Into a Riot
What began as a demonstration soon turned into chaos after rumors spread that a religious book had been desecrated during the protest. The incident triggered outrage in the Muslim community, leading to retaliatory violence in Nagpur’s Ganeshpeth, Mahal, and Gandhibagh areas. Viral videos of Bajrang Dal members chanting slogans and allegedly setting fire to an effigy of Aurangzeb near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue only fueled tensions further.
As the situation spiraled out of control, police resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the rioters. Over 50 people have been arrested so far, and a curfew has been imposed in the affected areas.
Who is Fahim Khan? The Man Now at the Center of the Storm
The Nagpur Police have identified Fahim Shamim Khan, a Minorities Democratic Party (MDP) leader, as the so-called “mastermind” of the violence. Fahim Khan, 38, is known for his involvement in local politics and had even contested against BJP leader Nitin Gadkari in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections (where he managed to secure just 1,400 votes).
According to police reports, Khan had led a group to the Ganeshpeth Police Station to file a complaint against the Bajrang Dal protestors. However, he later released a video criticizing the police and minority commission, which allegedly incited the violence. Khan was arrested based on video evidence and witness testimonies, and has now been remanded to police custody until March 21.
Nagpur Under Lockdown: Heavy Security Deployment
Following the violence, Nagpur has been turned into a fortress. Over 2,000 police personnel, including Quick Response Teams (QRT), Riot Control Police (RCP), and the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), have been deployed to prevent further clashes. Drones and CCTV cameras are being used to monitor the situation, and internet services have been restricted in sensitive areas.
Both Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis have urged citizens to maintain peace. While the BJP government has condemned the violence, opposition parties, including the Congress and Samajwadi Party, have accused right-wing groups of provoking unrest.
CM Devendra Fadnavis Responds
Reacting to the situation, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called for restraint and warned against political opportunism over the incident.
“Nagpur has always been a peaceful city, and such incidents will not be tolerated. Our police are taking strict action against those responsible, and we will not allow miscreants to disturb communal harmony. Citizens should not believe in rumors and must cooperate with law enforcement agencies to maintain peace,” Fadnavis said in a statement.
Politics Over Peace? A City Held Hostage by Polarization
The incident is yet another example of how communal politics continues to hold Indian cities hostage. While the police have been quick to arrest Fahim Khan, many are questioning why no action has been taken against Bajrang Dal and VHP members, whose protest originally triggered the unrest.
The Aurangzeb controversy has been a recurring political tool in Maharashtra. Just months ago, similar tensions flared up in Kolhapur and Sambhajinagar over pro-Aurangzeb slogans. With elections around the corner, is this yet another attempt to stoke communal fires for political mileage?
For now, Nagpur remains under tight security, but the bigger question remains unanswered—who truly benefits from this manufactured communal crisis?
