Nagpur police have registered an FIR against office-bearers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during a protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The violence erupted in central Nagpur’s Chitnis Park in Mahal area on Monday evening, leading to heightened security measures across the city.
FIR Lodged Against VHP, Bajrang Dal Leaders
The FIR, filed at Ganeshpeth police station, names Govind Shende, VHP’s secretary in charge of Maharashtra and Goa, along with Amol Thakre, Dr. Mahajan, Tayani, Rajat Puri, Sushil, Vrushabh Arkhel, Shubham, and Mukesh Barapatre. The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, no arrests have been made so far, according to police officials.
The unrest began around 7:30 PM on Monday after rumors spread that a religious text had been burned during the VHP-led agitation. Protesters allegedly pelted stones at the police, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in several areas, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, and Lakadganj, from 4:30 AM on Tuesday.
Curfew and Security Measures in Nagpur
To control the situation, security forces have been deployed in 11 highly sensitive locations across the city. Quick Response Teams and Riot Control Police have been stationed in affected areas, while checkpoints and barricades have been set up to restrict movement. Shops in curfew-imposed zones remained closed throughout Tuesday.
VHP Denies Allegations, Calls for Stern Action
Responding to the developments, VHP Vidarbha Prant Sah Mantri Devesh Mishra dismissed the claims that a ‘chadar’ with holy inscriptions was burned during the protest, labeling the violence as “pre-planned.” He asserted that the organization would not tolerate any attempts to glorify Aurangzeb and demanded strict action against those responsible for the clashes, including the invocation of the National Security Act (NSA).
Sources By Agencies