Nagpur violence: Minority Democratic Party leader Fahim Khan arrested
Nagpur, Mar 19 (PTI): Minority Democratic Party (MDP) leader Fahim Khan has been arrested for allegedly leading a protest outside a Nagpur police station on Monday, officials said on Wednesday.
Khan was among more than 50 persons arrested so far in connection with the Monday night's violence in the city that left several police personnel injured. Police are investigating whether Khan played any role in instigating riots, an official said.
A group of 50 to 60 people led by Khan unlawfully gathered outside Ganeshpeth police station on Monday and submitted a memorandum against Vishwa Hindu Parishad's protest that had taken place earlier in the day, the FIR against him stated.
Subsequently, Khan and eight others went to Bhaldarpura area where around 500 to 600 people from a minority community had gathered near Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. He was later arrested, the official said.
When asked if Khan was the mastermind of the violence, Nagpur Police Commissioner Virender Singal told reporters that investigations are underway to identify attackers and the role of the persons named in the FIR.
"Some names have come up. Police will investigate whether these people had any role from the beginning, whether they had criminal backgrounds, or whether they were planning (violence). All these aspects are being probed," he added.
He said six FIRs have been registered so far.
Violent mobs went on a rampage in central Nagpur areas on Monday night amid rumours that a ‘chadar’ with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by VHP and Bajrang Dal for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said no `chadar' with Quranic verses had been burnt during the VHP protest.
More than 50 persons were taken into custody after combing operations and a curfew was imposed in parts of Nagpur.
Meanwhile, a defence lawyer claimed that computer engineers and school-going children were among those arrested, and many of them were innocent.
As many as 27 accused were produced before the local court on Tuesday and 11 of them were referred to the Government Medical College Hospital, said advocate Asif Qureshi.
They were remanded in police custody for two days, he told PTI.
Most of the accused were at home with their families during Monday's incidents of violence and arson, he claimed.
"School-going boys, computer engineers and working people who had come home for Ramzan are among those arrested," the lawyer added.
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Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship: How to apply, when to apply; details here
Bengaluru: The Azim Premji Foundation has announced the Azim Premji Scholarship for the academic year 2025–26, aimed at supporting up to 2.5 lakh girls across 18 Indian states who are pursuing higher education after completing school. An official release from the foundation also stated that in the coming years the scholarship will be implemented across the country.
When to Apply:
According to a release from the foundation, the application process for the Azim Premji Scholarship 2025–26 will commence in September 2025. “Details of the program and any changes in the program design or coverage will be notified at the start of the application process,” the release added.
Where to Apply:
According to the release, the scholarship this year will be implemented across 18 states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Students residing in these states and enrolled in recognised higher education institutions will be eligible to apply.
How to Apply:
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Girls who have completed their Class 10 and 12 education in government (public) schools and have secured admission in a bona fide higher education institution either a government-run college/university or select private institutions can apply for the scholarship.
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Once the application portal opens in September, students will be required to submit personal details, educational qualifications, proof of admission, and bank account information.
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The scholarship amount ₹30,000 per year will be transferred directly into the students' bank accounts in two instalments each academic year, read the release.
