Persons arrested in connection with the recent violence are escorted out of a court in Nagpur on March 21, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Nagpur Police have arrested 99 people, registered 13 first information reports (FIRs), and started an investigation into the communal clashes that wracked the city centre on March 17, Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal told The Hindu on Friday (March 21, 2025). Normalcy is gradually returning to the city just days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit at the end of the month.
The unrest was triggered by demands for the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave from Maharashtra, with tensions further escalated by rumours of a ‘chadar’—a holy cloth inscribed with Quranic verses—being burned. The violence, which included stone-pelting, arson, and widespread chaos, led to the imposition of a curfew in several areas. However, the situation has since stabilised, with the curfew being partially lifted in some parts of the city.
Speaking about security arrangements for Friday prayers in Nagpur mosques, Mr. Singal said, “Following due assessment, we have deployed security.”
Preparing for the PM
Restoring normalcy in Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra, is a top priority for the police, not only because the city is home to the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh—which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year—or because it is represented by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, but also because Mr. Modi is scheduled to visit on March 30, on the occasion of Gudipadva, the first day of the Hindu calendar.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Madhav Eye Hospital, an RSS-backed initiative. He is also expected to visit the Hedgewar Smruti Mandir, marking his first visit to the site since becoming Prime Minister in 2014 and the first by any sitting PM.
“Both Central and State enforcement officers are working together to ensure everything is normal in the city. The SPG will soon take over the venue for additional security,” an official said.
‘Serious charges’
A local court in Nagpur has remanded 17 people arrested in connection with the violence to police custody until March 22. The court emphasised the “seriousness of the offence” and noted that “prima facie the accusation against them was well-founded.” The accused were produced before magistrate Maimuna Sultana on Thursday night, where the police sought a seven-day custody for further interrogation. However, the court granted only two days of custody.
The arrests were made in connection with an FIR filed by the Ganeshpeth police. In its order, the court stated that the charges against the accused were “serious in nature”, making custodial interrogation necessary for the investigation. The decision reflects the judiciary’s effort to balance the need for a thorough probe with the rights of the accused.
‘Overflowing emotions’
Mr. Fadnavis will arrive in Nagpur on Friday evening, marking his first visit to his home city since the clashes. Officials said he would stay overnight but has no public engagements scheduled during his visit. He is expected to return to Mumbai on Saturday.
Addressing the State Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Fadnavis described the violence as a “planned incident” and vowed that “no one will be spared” in holding those responsible accountable. He also referenced the film Chhaava, which portrays the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, stating that it reflects real history. “The emotions of people are overflowing, and they are showing anger against Aurangzeb,” he said, highlighting the historical and emotional undercurrents fuelling the tensions.
Published – March 21, 2025 10:37 pm IST