In response to escalating violence over demands to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb, authorities have imposed a curfew across multiple areas of Nagpur under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The Maharashtra Police issued an official directive, stating that the restrictions will remain in place indefinitely to maintain public order.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal confirmed the enforcement, following reports of violent clashes that left 22 police personnel injured and led to the detention of approximately 65 demonstrators. The curfew affects several police station jurisdictions, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.
Protests Spark Violence and Restrictions
Tensions flared on March 17 when 200–250 members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal assembled near the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal, Nagpur, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave. Protesters raised slogans and symbolically draped a green cloth filled with cow dung cakes over the area.
Later that evening, a gathering of 80–100 people in the Bhaldarpura locality reignited unrest, disrupting daily life and alarming residents. To curb further escalation, authorities implemented a “communication ban (curfew)” across affected zones, restricting movement and large gatherings.
The curfew order explicitly states that no individual is allowed to step outside their home except for medical emergencies. Public gatherings of more than five people have been prohibited, alongside strict measures against rumor-mongering and inflammatory actions.
Police on High Alert as Unrest Spreads
Law enforcement has been directed to seal roads in the curfew-affected areas, with violations punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, exemptions apply to law enforcement personnel, government officials, students appearing for essential exams, and emergency service workers, including firefighters.
Meanwhile, unrest spread to Nagpur’s Hansapuri area, where unidentified miscreants vandalized shops, torched vehicles, and hurled stones. This followed an earlier altercation in Mahal, which had already heightened tensions.
How the Situation Escalated
Violence erupted after rumors surfaced that a religious text was burned during a right-wing protest advocating the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. The resulting outrage led to widespread stone-pelting and arson across central Nagpur.
Authorities launched combing operations in Mahal, arresting 15 individuals. The area also houses the RSS headquarters, further fueling political debates. As tensions mount, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari have urged citizens to maintain peace, even as opposition leaders criticize the state government for failing to prevent the violence.