Nagpur violence: 'Chhaava' film reignited people's emotions, attacks seems 'premeditated,' says Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that "Chhaava movie reignited people's emotions" against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and further noted that the violence in "Nagpur appears to be premeditated", with mob targeting "specific houses."
Speaking in the legislative assembly, Fadnavis said the Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has brought the true history of the Maratha king to the public
"After that (the movie), people's emotions have been reignited. The anger against Aurangzeb is being exhibited in a big way," the CM said. Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the son of Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was captured, tortured, and executed by Aurangzeb.
Following protests against Aurangzeb's tomb on Monday that led to violence and vandalism of houses and vehicles, authorities imposed curfew in various Nagpur areas.
"The mob targeted specific houses and establishments. It (the attack) appears to be premeditated," Fadnavis continued.
"There appears to be a pre-planned pattern of some people. Action will certainly be taken against them, and whoever has attacked police personnel will not be spared. Normalcy is being restored," he added.
Fadnavis, who also oversees the home department, said that "At least 33 police personnel, including three DCPs, were injured, and one of the DCPs was attacked with an axe," further, adding that five civilians were injured, with one requiring intensive care. He also assured that those responsible for attacking the police would not be spared.
Fadnavis detailed that on Monday at 11.30 am, VHP and Bajrang Dal members protested in Nagpur's Mahal area, demanding Aurangzeb's grave removal. The protesters created and burnt a symbolic grave using hay. Subsequently, authorities registered a case at Ganesh Peth police station, including charges related to deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
By evening, rumors spread about religious content in the burnt symbolic grave, sparking protests from 200-300 people who threatened violence, prompting police intervention. Fadnavis said the protesters were also asked to go to the Ganesh Peth police station to file a complaint against VHP and Bajrang Dal workers.
"While the police action was underway, 200-300 people in Hansapuri resorted to stone-pelting. Their faces were covered. Some people were attacked with sharp weapons," he added.
The third incident occurred at 7.30 pm in Bhaldarpura, where 80-100 people confronted police, necessitating tear gas deployment, and ttackers set fire to a crane and two JCBs, the CM said.
The Maharashtra CM further said that the authorities registered three cases at Ganesh Peth station and two at Tehsil station. Officials implemented curfew across 11 police station jurisdictions.
"A trolley full of stones was recovered. We found that some people had collected stones. There was arson, and vehicles were set on fire. Some houses and establishments were targeted in a pre-meditated way," he continued.
Fadnavis further added that the DGP conducted a video conference with Nagpur's Police Commissioner and Superintendent, issuing directives for maintaining order.
Echoing similar sentiments, Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde expressed concerns about a deliberate plot against a particular community. He noted that following the unrest, law enforcement acted as intermediaries between the involved communities.
"How does a mob of 2,000 to 5,000 people gather at 8 pm in the evening? Huge stones were hurled inside people's residences. A hospital was ransacked. Photos of deities were burnt in the hospital. Where did petrol bombs come from? Petrol bombs were hurled, cars, motorbikes were torched. 100-150 bikes are parked in a specific area and there were no bikes yesterday. This means, this was a pre-planned conspiracy to target a specific community," Shinde said.
He firmly stated that disrespect towards Chhatrapati Shivaji and Chhatrapati Sambhaji would not be accepted by the state. He further called for Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal to issue an apology for comparing CM Fadnavis to Aurangzeb.
(With inputs from agencies)