PTC Web Desk: Five days after violence erupted in Nagpur on March 17 following a protest by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a press conference in Nagpur on Saturday. He announced that the damages caused by the riots would be recovered by selling the rioters’ properties. "If necessary, bulldozers will be used," he warned.

Fadnavis assured that compensation for the victims would be provided soon. He also stated that those who attacked the police would face the strictest legal actions. Addressing the opposition's claims, he denied that the violence was due to intelligence failure or a political conspiracy. He also dismissed reports of misconduct against a woman constable, clarifying that she was pelted with stones but was not harassed.

The Maharashtra CM further stated that it was premature to conclude whether there was a foreign or Bangladeshi connection to the violence. However, he confirmed that investigations were underway. He also pointed out that a Congress delegation visiting Nagpur included a member who was an accused in the Akola riots. Despite the unrest, he assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Nagpur would not be affected.

One death reported on fifth day of violence

A 40-year-old man, Irfan Ansari, who was injured in the Nagpur riots, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday while undergoing treatment at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGGMCH). Ansari, a welder, had left home on the night of March 17 to catch a train to Itarsi from Nagpur Railway Station, one of the violence-affected areas.

Late on Friday evening, the police arrested Hamid Engineer, the acting president of the Minorities Democratic Party, in connection with the riots. The Maharashtra government has transferred the investigation to the Crime Branch.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, reacting to the violence, warned that anyone who threatens the Muslim community, incites conflicts between groups, or disrupts law and order will not be spared. His remarks came during an Iftar party hosted by his party at Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai on Friday. 

105 arrests, curfew partially lifted

By Friday evening, the police had arrested 14 more persons in connection with the Nagpur violence, bringing the total number of arrests to 105, including 10 juveniles. A local court has sent 17 persons to police custody until March 22. Meanwhile, three new FIRs have been registered.

Curfew has been lifted from two police station areas—Nandanvan and Kapilnagar—while Internet services have been restored. In other areas, curfew has been relaxed between 2 pm and 4 pm, but it remains in force in nine police station jurisdictions. A decision on lifting the curfew entirely will be taken after a high-level review meeting.

Mastermind Faheem Khan files bail plea

Faheem Khan, the main accused in the Nagpur riots, has filed a bail application in the sessions court, claiming that he was arrested due to political vendetta for demanding action against VHP members.

A sedition case has been registered against Faheem and six others, accusing them of gathering over 500 rioters and instigating violence. Faheem, the city president of the Minorities Democratic Party, was arrested on March 19, two days after the riots.

Following the end of his police remand on Friday, Faheem was sent to judicial custody. His bail plea is set for hearing on March 24.

Aurangzeb Controversy Timeline

March 3: SP MLA calls Aurangzeb a benevolent ruler

The controversy began after Maharashtra Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi stated that Aurangzeb was not a cruel ruler and had built many temples. He accused historians of distorting facts.

His comments triggered a backlash for allegedly disrespecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj. Facing criticism, Azmi retracted his statement on March 4, stating that his words were misinterpreted and apologising if they had hurt sentiments.

March 5: Azmi suspended from Assembly

Azmi was suspended for the entire Budget session of the Maharashtra Assembly. CM Devendra Fadnavis condemned his remarks in the Assembly, while Deputy CM Eknath Shinde called for sedition charges against him.

Even Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath criticised Azmi in the UP Assembly, stating that the SP should expel him. "Bring him to UP, we know how to deal with such people," Yogi remarked.

March 10: Demand to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb gains momentum

BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, demanded the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb, calling him a thief and invader. "Send a JCB and raze it," he said.

BJP MLA from Telangana, T. Raja Singh, also supported this demand and wrote to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking details of government expenditure on the tomb’s maintenance. He argued that no taxpayer money should be spent on a "tyrant’s grave."