Nagpur Riots: Key Accused Fahim Khan Arrested As Political Row Deepens Over Aurangzeb’s Tomb
Police arrested Faheem Khan, a key suspect accused of inciting violence in Maharashtra's Nagpur, amid clashes between two communities over demands to relocate Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb from the state. Khan, a local politician from the Minority Democratic Party, will remain in custody until Friday.
So far, 60 individuals have been arrested in connection with the unrest, and police have registered six cases, filing complaints against 1,200 people, of whom fewer than 200 have been named. Authorities are investigating whether the violence was orchestrated by an individual or an organisation.
The arrests follow statements from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy, Eknath Shinde, who on Tuesday described the violence as a "premeditated conspiracy" by unidentified individuals.
Fadnavis stated that the unrest began when Hindu protesters, including members of hardline groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, burnt a "symbolic grave" made of grass bundles.
Rumours then spread, he claimed, that the green cloth covering the grave contained religious texts, further fuelling tensions.
According to Fadnavis, a crowd of 250 gathered after Friday prayers, chanting slogans. When threats were made to set vehicles alight, police intervened.
The Chief Minister also made a controversial remark linking the violence to a Hindi film, 'Chhava', starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna. The film depicts the conflict between the Maratha empire, led by Chhatrapati Shivaji's son, Sambhaji, and the Mughals.
The unrest, which erupted late on Monday, saw shops and homes vandalised and vehicles torched. Nagpur, the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, witnessed widespread disorder.
Complainants reported that the protest turned violent when demonstrators threw stones and petrol bombs at police officers, who were also allegedly attacked with "deadly weapons." Authorities responded with force due to concerns for public safety. There are further allegations of female officers facing sexual harassment.
In response to criticism of police inaction, which officials deny, Fadnavis revealed that 38 people were injured, including 33 police officers. One officer was attacked with an axe.
A curfew remains in place across 10 police station limits since its imposition on Tuesday.
The opposition, led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction, has strongly condemned the BJP-led Mahayuti government, demanding Fadnavis take responsibility and resign. Thackeray questioned why such violence was necessary over Aurangzeb, who has been dead for 318 years and is buried in an unmarked grave. His son, Aaditya Thackeray, accused the BJP of deliberately stoking tensions to divert attention from governance failures, warning that the party was attempting to turn Maharashtra into "another Manipur."
Aurangzeb's tomb is a protected historical monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, a decision Fadnavis has criticised, stating that while he supports its removal, it must be done within legal boundaries.
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