Muslim leaders in Nagpur have strongly condemned the recent outbreak of violence in the city and demanded an impartial inquiry into the events.
They asserted that swift police intervention could have prevented the unrest, which saw large-scale stone-pelting and arson across multiple areas.
At a press conference held on Thursday, community representatives urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to meet with leaders from both communities to restore peace.
The violence erupted on Monday evening following the circulation of rumours that a ‘chadar’ bearing holy inscriptions had been burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which was demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb.
Dr Mohammad Awes Hasan, speaking at the press briefing, alleged, “Efforts are being made to provoke the Muslim community through various means in the last two to three years. A minister has been continuously raising the topic of Aurangzeb. The Muslim community has no connection to Aurangzeb and has remained calm.”
He further claimed that right-wing outfits were responsible for burning a ‘chadar’ inscribed with Islamic verses, prompting members of the Muslim community to seek police intervention.
“However, when police did not take any step, some of them became agitated,” Hasan stated.
Also read: RSS on Nagpur violence: Aurangzeb not relevant today
While some leaders acknowledged the police's efforts to restore normalcy, they alleged that innocent individuals had been wrongly detained in connection with the violence.
Maharashtra State Minorities Commission chief Pyare Khan convened a meeting on Thursday, attended by the police commissioner and district collector.
Khan urged the police to ensure that no action was taken against innocent individuals.
He also called for the relaxation of curfew restrictions in Mominpura and adjacent areas, highlighting the impact on businesses during Ramzan.
According to police reports, 33 personnel, including three officers of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank, sustained injuries in the violence.
Authorities have booked Fahim Khan, identified as the prime accused, along with five others on charges of sedition and for allegedly spreading misinformation on social media.
Three days after the unrest, curfew restrictions were either lifted or eased in certain parts of the city.
Also read: Nagpur violence: Mastermind Fahim Khan held
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