Nagpur violence: 50 arrested after clashes over Aurangzeb tomb protest, prohibitory orders imposed
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Nagpur: At least 50 people have been arrested following violent clashes in central Nagpur late on Monday night. The unrest erupted after protests demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Khultabad escalated into arson and confrontations, leaving several injured.
Clashes and arson
The violence led to multiple casualties, including 10 anti-riot commandos, two senior police officers, and two firefighters. A constable remains in critical condition. Mobs set ablaze two bulldozers and 40 vehicles, including police vans, as security forces struggled to restore order. The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a report on the incident, which comes just two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Nagpur.
Role of rumours and social media
Tensions flared after reports emerged that protesters had burned effigies of Aurangzeb and a religious chadar near Shivaji Putla Square at Mahal Gate, located just 2 km from the RSS headquarters. In response, another group gathered, demanding immediate action, which led to stone-pelting, arson, and violent clashes with the police. Officials have stated that misinformation spread through social media significantly contributed to the escalation.
Security forces deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Among those injured were DCPs Archit Chandak and Niketan Kadam, along with firefighters who were attempting to extinguish the flames.
Police crackdown and security measures
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal has deployed over 1,000 officers and imposed prohibitory orders in Mahal, Chitnis Park Chowk, and Bhaldarpura to curb movement in high-risk areas. Key roads have been sealed, and additional reinforcements have been brought in to prevent further violence. Despite these measures, sporadic stone-pelting incidents continued through the night.
Authorities have employed CCTV surveillance vehicles and public address systems to monitor the situation and issue warnings. Local peace committees have also been activated, urging community leaders to step in and help de-escalate tensions.
CM appeals for peace
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari have urged Nagpur residents to maintain peace. "Nagpur has always been a city of harmony. I request citizens not to believe in rumours and to cooperate with the police," Fadnavis stated.
Police statement on the situation
Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Singal has assured that the situation is under control. "The situation is currently peaceful. A photo was burned, leading to people gathering and making a request. We acted on it, and an FIR has been lodged based on the names provided," he said.
Regarding the violence, he stated, "The incident occurred around 8-8:30 pm. Not many vehicles have been torched; we are assessing the damage. So far, two vehicles have been set on fire, and stone-pelting took place." He added that combing operations are underway to identify and arresImposede involved.
To prevent further unrest, Section 144 has been imposed in the area, restricting public gatherings. "People have been advised not to step out unnecessarily or take the law into their own hands. Apart from this particular area, the rest of the city remains peaceful," Dr Singal added.
VHP, Bajrang Dal warn of protests
Meanwhile, protests have also erupted in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, where Aurangzeb’s tomb is located. VHP and Bajrang Dal have warned that if the government fails to act, they will escalate their agitation across Marathwada and other districts.
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EC, UIDAI experts to soon begin technical consultations on Aadhaar-voter card seeding
New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI): The EC on Tuesday said linkage of voter cards with Aadhaar would be done according to the prevailing law and the Supreme Court's directions and added technical consultations between its experts and UIDAI for the exercise would "begin soon".
The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday held a meeting with the Union home secretary, legislative secretary (in the law ministry), MeitY secretary and the UIDAI CEO on the issue of voter card-Aadhaar seeding.
The government told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply in April 2023 that linking Aadhaar details with voter identity cards had not started and noted that the exercise was "process driven" and no target or timelines was set for the proposed exercise.
Names of those who do not link their Aadhaar details with the voters' list will not be struck off the electoral rolls, the government had asserted.
In a statement on Tuesday, the poll authority said that while voting rights could only be granted to a citizen of India, according to Article 326 of the Constitution, Aadhaar established a person's identity.
"Therefore, it was decided that the linking of elector photo identity card (EPIC) with Aadhaar will be done only as per the provisions of Article 326 of the Constitution, sections 23(4), 23(5) and 23(6) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and in line with the Supreme Court judgment (of 2023)," it said.
Accordingly, technical consultations between UIDAI and the EC's technical experts "are to begin soon", it added.
The law allows voluntary seeding of voter rolls with the Aadhaar database.
Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, as amended by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, provides for electoral registration officers to require an existing or prospective elector to provide Aadhaar for establishing identity on a voluntary basis.
