Mob burns, desecrates Holy Quran verses in India’s Nagpur, police impose curfew

A mob of extremist Hindu organisations in Nagpur reportedly burned and desecrated verses from the Holy Quran written on a cloth during a demonstration demanding the relocation of the 17th century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir’s tomb from Maharashtra. The unruly crowd also beat a poster of the Muslim ruler with sticks.

The violence erupted on Monday when members of Bajrang Dal staged a protest at the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the former ruler of the Bhonsle dynasty, in the Mahal area.

Videos of the protest quickly went viral on social media, sparking unrest in several areas of Nagpur, including Kotwali and Ganeshpeth, prompting police to intervene and fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

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As tensions escalated, members of the Muslim community also took to the streets, leading to further clashes. Police were targeted with stone-pelting, forcing authorities to impose Section 144 and a curfew to restore order.

An FIR regarding the burning of the Holy Quran was registered at Ganeshpeth police station.

The affected areas remain under tight security to prevent further violence. Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal members denied burning the Holy Quran, claiming they only set fire to an effigy of Aurangzeb.

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On the other hand, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday suggested that the violence and anger against Aurangzeb were fueled by the recent release of Vicky Kaushal's film "Chhaava."

It is pertinent to note that "Chhaava" portrays Aurangzeb as the enemy of Hindus, with Maratha heir Sambhaji depicted as a martyr who sacrificed himself to protect the Hindu faith while defending his empire against the Mughal army.