Violence erupted in Nagpur, Maharashtra, following reports that the holy Quran had been burned during a Hindutva group’s protest demanding the removal of the 17th-century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. The clashes led to numerous injuries, prompting the authorities to impose a curfew in several parts of the city. The clashes left many injured, prompting the authorities to impose a curfew in several areas of the city. The clashes between Hindus and Muslims took place in the central part of the city late Monday. Stones were thrown, shops were vandalized and several vehicles were torched.

Videos from the scene showed burning vehicles and scattered debris. Muslim groups said that members of Hindutva outfits, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, burned a cloth with the holy text, on it during a protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhaji Nagar. The unrest began when Bajrang Dal members staged a demonstration near the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in the Mahal area. During the protest, there were reports that the Quran had been burned, which quickly fueled outrage among members of the Muslim community.

The situation escalated as videos of the protest went viral on social media, intensifying the anger and prompting members of the Muslim community to take to the streets. As a result of the spreading unrest, large groups of Muslim community members gathered in several parts of Nagpur, including Mahal, Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, and Chitnis Park. According to an official notification from Maharashtra Police, a curfew has been enforced in several areas of Nagpur city due to tensions surrounding the demand for the removal of Aurangzeb's grave in Khultabad, Aurangabad.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)