“Mayawati, Priyanka Chaturvedi criticize Maharashtra over violence”
Nagpur Police have arrested 15 individuals during combing operations in various localities of the Mahal area following the recent outbreak of violence. The arrests were made as part of a crackdown on those involved in rioting, arson, and destruction of property. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage and monitoring social media to identify additional suspects. City Commissioner of Police Ravinder Kumar Singal assured that security measures have been intensified, and curfew remains in place in sensitive areas. The police have urged citizens to maintain peace and refrain from spreading misinformation, warning of strict action against anyone inciting further unrest.
Mumbai: Amid the demand by some right-wing outfits for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday condemned the targeting of graves and warned that such actions were disturbing the peace and harmony of the state.
Mayawati also urged the Maharashtra government to take strict action against those responsible for the violence, particularly in Nagpur, where unrest erupted earlier this week.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticized the Devendra Fadnavis-led government over the violence in Nagpur, alleging that Maharashtra is being deliberately made unattractive for investment to benefit a neighboring state, in an apparent reference to Gujarat.
The violence in central Nagpur on Monday saw protesters hurling stones at police following rumors that a holy book had been burned during a demonstration by a right-wing group demanding. The clashes resulted in injuries to six civilians and three policemen, according to officials.
In response, Nagpur Police launched combing operations in various localities in the Mahal area, arresting 15 individuals in connection with the violence. Authorities have also been reviewing CCTV footage and monitoring social media for further suspects involved in the unrest.
peace, and harmony.” She emphasized that communal tensions should not be fueled for political gains and called for stringent action against those instigating violence.
Chaturvedi, meanwhile, accused the state government of failing to maintain stability.
Opposition parties have intensified their attacks on the Maharashtra government, alleging a failure in law enforcement. The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have also joined the chorus of criticism, demanding accountability from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Amid rising tensions, security has been heightened across Nagpur, with additional police forces deployed to sensitive areas. Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal confirmed that a curfew remains in effect across multiple police jurisdictions to prevent further escalations. Other than that, if individuals are seen in CCTV footage or social media posts engaging in violent acts, we are identifying and apprehending them,” he said.
Senior police officials have urged residents to refrain from spreading misinformation, warning of strict legal action against those inciting violence or communal discord.
The incident has also sparked fears of wider communal unrest, with some political analysts arguing that tensions over Aurangzeb’s tomb are being used as a tool to polarize voters ahead of upcoming elections. Experts suggest that the controversy could be exploited to shift focus from key governance issues, such as economic development and job creation, to divisive identity politics.
Meanwhile, businesses in Nagpur remain on high alert, with many shops in affected areas choosing to stay closed as a precaution. Local trade associations have called on the government to restore stability swiftly and ensure the safety of commercial establishments.
Political observers note that the situation in Maharashtra is indicative of a larger trend of increasing communal friction in the country. With state elections on the horizon, parties across the political spectrum are attempting to consolidate their support bases, sometimes at the cost of social cohesion.
In the Maharashtra Assembly, opposition leaders have demanded an independent inquiry into the Nagpur violence. Congress leader Nana Patole accused the government of deliberately allowing tensions to escalate. “This administration is not just incompetent; it is complicit in fostering divisions among communities for electoral gains,” he said.
The ruling alliance, however, has dismissed these allegations, maintaining that the violence was a pre-planned conspiracy. CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis have vowed strict action against all those responsible. “We will not allow Maharashtra to be destabilized by such incidents. Our police are working diligently to identify and arrest the culprits,” Fadnavis stated during a press conference.
At the grassroots level, community leaders and activists have called for dialogue and peace-building measures to prevent further unrest. Several religious organizations have urged political leaders to avoid inflammatory statements and focus on restoring communal harmony.
As investigations continue, the Maharashtra government faces mounting pressure to act decisively. The unfolding events in Nagpur could have broader implications for the state’s political landscape, shaping narratives in the months to come. While immediate security measures have been put in place, the long-term challenge remains—ensuring that Maharashtra does not become a battleground for divisive politics.
For now, the focus remains on restoring normalcy, holding those responsible accountable, and ensuring that Maharashtra’s economic and social fabric remains intact despite the turbulence of recent events.