A violent confrontation occurred at the tomb of a 17th-century Mughal emperor in Nagpur, central India, resulting in injuries to a dozen people and damage to several vehicles, as reported by the police on Tuesday. The clashes ensued during protests by a Hindu nationalist group demanding the removal of the tomb of former Muslim ruler Aurangzeb, a figure deeply disliked by Hindu nationalists.
According to NDTV, the violence erupted after Hindu protesters from the far-right Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) group set fire to an image of Aurangzeb. In response, members of Muslim groups, armed and masked, threw stones at the police, escalating the situation and leading to the torching of vehicles and the vandalizing of homes.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the state of Maharashtra, where Nagpur is located, instructed the police to take strict actions against the unrest and urged the public not to fall for any rumors. At least 50 people had been arrested, a curfew imposed, and gatherings of more than four people banned. Additionally, security measures were tightened around the tomb of Aurangzeb in Aurangabad, approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) west of Nagpur.
Fadnavis, known for his Hindu nationalist views, expressed sympathy with the campaign to remove the tomb, stating that it was unfortunate that the government had to protect Aurangzeb’s grave, given his history of persecution. The VHP denied accusations of violence but insisted on replacing the tomb with a memorial for rulers from the local Maratha community.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is affiliated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which has its roots in the Nagpur area. Since taking office in 2014, Modi’s government has faced accusations from rights groups and critics of discriminating against India’s Muslim minority. Hindu extremists have targeted Muslim places of worship, claiming they were built on ruins of destroyed Hindu holy sites. Modi himself has made references to Aurangzeb in the past, accusing the Mughal ruler of oppressing the Hindu faith and persecuting its followers.
Edited by: Alex Berry
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/india-nagpur-sees-clashes-over-mughal-emperor-s-tomb/a-71957835?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
