Clashes erupt in Nagpur amid Aurangzeb tomb protest, prohibitory orders imposed

Prohibitory orders barring public gatherings were imposed in parts of Nagpur on Monday night as clashes broke out hours after a protest was held in the city to demand the removal of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, PTI reported.

About 20 persons, including 15 police personnel, were injured, India Today reported. Several bikes and cars were set on fire.

At least 15 persons were detained in connection with the violence, PTI reported on Monday night.

The violence erupted in central Nagpur’s Chitnis Park at 7.30 pm. Stones were thrown at the police amid rumours that the holy book of the Muslim community had been burnt during an agitation by a Hindutva group in the late afternoon, reported The Hindu. The Hindutva group was demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb located in Khuldabad near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.

The Indian Express quoted unidentified office-bearers of the Hindutva group Bajrang Dal as saying that its members had only burnt an effigy of Aurangzeb during the protest.

A complaint was filed at the Ganeshpeth police station in the evening alleging desecration of the holy book, the newspaper reported.

Nagpur Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal said: “A photograph was set on fire, which instigated people. A case was registered regarding this, and an investigation is underway. Later, clashes broke out.”

The injuries sustained by the police personnel were not serious, Singal told...

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