Maharashtra CM calls Nagpur violence pre-planned, Opposition asks Fadnavis to resign

Nagpur violence sparks political controversy as Chief Minister calls it premeditated, Deputy Chief Minister questions source of petrol bombs.

The violence in Nagpur led to a political firestorm on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the incident “premeditated”, whereas Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde termed it a conspiracy questioning “where the petrol bombs came from”.

The Opposition criticised the Mahayuti government for not maintaining law and order and blamed them for creating instability. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray asked Mr. Fadnavis to resign if the “double engine government” has failed.

“As stones and other weapons were handy and selected houses were targeted, this seems pre-planned,” said Mr. Fadnavis, adding that multiple incidents of violence were reported in Nagpur.

“In the evening [on Monday], the rumours spread that protestors torched the symbolic grave [of Aurangzeb], having the religious script written on the cloth. After the namaz, at least 200-250 people started raising slogans, saying, ‘will burn everything’, forcing police to take strict action. Police convinced and invited them to Ganeshpeth to file a complaint. Meanwhile, another group of 200 people wearing masks started damaging property in Hansapuri. Around 7.30 p.m., violence erupts in Bhaldarpur,” Mr. Fadnavis said while speaking in the Maharashtra Assembly.

Over 200 members of Hindu outfits Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad took out protests on Monday, which turned violent in Nagpur’s Ganeshpeth, Mahal, and Gandhibagh areas, with stone pelting. The videos of the demonstrations went viral, leading to a dispute between the two communities. The controversy over the Mughal ruler emerged after BJP leader Udayanraje Bhosale demanded the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called the incident a “conspiracy” and asked: “When police mediated and diffused the matter then, how did a mob of 2,000 to 5,000 people assemble at 8 p.m.?” He went on to ask where the petrol bombs had come from. “I have heard, around 150 bikes are stationed in a specific area, but yesterday it was empty. All this reflects a pre-planned conspiracy held to target a particular community,” Mr. Shinde said.

Bharatiya Janata Party State chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Minister Nitesh Rane called the Nagpur violence a “planned incident” to defame the government. Mr. Rane blamed Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for the chaos. “This is Abu Azmi’s fault. The rioters will not be spared. Strict action will be taken,” he added.