A tomb riot for a long-dead emperor

• Mohammed Aslam, a realtor, and his son Sohil Shaikh experienced a violent riot in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on March 17.
• Aslam and his son were the only Muslim family in the neighborhood, and their house was located near Dr. Hedgewar Bhawan, the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
• The rioters, who were Muslim, attacked Aslam and Shaikh, breaking their phones and CCTV cameras.
• The rioters demanded the demolition of the tomb of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, which dates back to the 17th century AD.
• The protests escalated when demonstrators set fire to a chadar (cloth), inscribed with verses from the Quran, which angered Muslims.
• Hundreds of people attacked homes with stones, petrol bombs, and sticks, resulting in 33 police personnel and five civilians sustaining injuries.
• The rioters moved from Mahal to Hansapuri, another area in Nagpur, and caused another round of destruction.
• Residents claim that the police were unprepared to handle the riots, taking refuge in their homes.

Maharashtra’s Film Critique and Violence

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis blames the film Chhaava for fueling public anger against the Mughal emperor, Sambhaji Maharaj, after the riots.
• The film, directed by Laxman Utekar, has grossed over ₹550 crore at the box office.
• Critics argue the film is “historically inaccurate” and that Aurangzeb was not a “cruel administrator” and had constructed many temples.
• Samajwadi Party MP Abu Azmi, who criticized the film, was suspended from the Assembly for the Budget session.
• A descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, Udayanraje Bhosale, called for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb.
• Maharashtra president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party, Imtiaz Jaleel, argues that the film was promoted by the government and the entire Maharashtra Cabinet was taken to the theatre to watch it.
• A driver in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, where Aurangzeb’s tomb lies, believes it is important for every Marathi to know the story.
• Nagpur police imposed a curfew in 11 areas as violence escalated, leading to the arrest of 99 people, including Fahim Khan, the city head of the Minority Democratic Party.
• The police prioritized restoring normalcy due to Nagpur being the headquarters of the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the district.
• The VHP denies any involvement in the burning of the chadar, but the police claim they have video evidence.
• VHP general secretary Milind Parande condemns the attack on Bajrang Dal workers and the Muslim mob, calling for strict action against all anti-social elements.

Khuldabad’s Controversy Over Aurangzeb’s Tomb

• The State government labeled the violence as “pre-planned,” but police managed to contain it in a few hours and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the city.
• The police force across the State remained on high alert to prevent the unrest from spreading to other cities and towns, especially Sambhajinagar.
• The controversy is at the heart of the controversy, with the tomb of Aurangzeb at the center of the controversy.
• Security measures have increased over the last eight days, with police and State Reserve Police Force personnel, ASI staff, and home guards on duty.
• The use of drones in the area has been banned from March 19 to April 18.
• The tomb is a part of the tomb of Aurangzeb’s teacher, Khwaja Syed Zainuddin Shirazi, which is privately owned and maintained with the help of donations from visitors.
• The controversy is viewed as a threat to the secular society of Khuldabad, where people have lived together in harmony for generations.
• The timing of the controversy is criticized as it provokes the poor and jobless youth, who are the ones who die or get injured.
• The violence is also seen as a part of Maratha-dominated Lahaniali, where people have been invited to celebrate festivals and festivals.