Curfew in India city after violence over Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb

 A curfew has been imposed in parts of Nagpur city, located in Maharashtra, India, after Hindu groups demanded the removal of the tomb of Aurangzeb, a 17th-century Mughal emperor, sparking violent unrest on Monday night. 

During the unrest, vehicles were set on fire, and stones were thrown in the Mahal area of Nagpur. Police have since stated that the situation is now under control and are urging the public to maintain peace.

The tomb of Aurangzeb, who died more than 300 years ago, has recently become a political flashpoint, with hardline Hindu groups calling for its removal. It is located approximately 500 kilometers (311 miles) from Nagpur in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, formerly known as Aurangabad.

The violence erupted after two Hindu organizations, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, burned an effigy of the emperor and chanted slogans demanding the removal of his tomb, as stated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state assembly. This provoked rumors that some religious symbols had been desecrated, which Fadnavis described as a catalyst for violence that appeared to be "a well-planned attack."

Following evening prayers, a crowd of about 250 Muslim men gathered and began chanting slogans. "When people threatened to set vehicles on fire, the police responded with force," Fadnavis added. More than 50 individuals have been detained, and 33 policemen were injured during the incident, according to Nagpur police commissioner Ravinder Singal.

Shops and businesses in the central areas of Nagpur remain closed, and security has been increased throughout the city. Meanwhile, opposition parties are criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, claiming that "law and order in the state has collapsed."

The recent violence has been triggered by a Bollywood film about Sambhaji, a Maratha ruler known for his clashes with Aurangzeb, and its graphic depiction of his torture. Fadnavis mentioned in the assembly that the film had "ignited people's anger against Aurangzeb."

The issue has been a prominent topic in the state, with politicians from Hindu nationalist parties denouncing Aurangzeb and calling for the removal of his tomb. Earlier this month, protesters became incensed when Abu Azmi, a regional politician, claimed that Aurangzeb was not a "cruel administrator" and had "built many temples." Azmi also asserted that under Aurangzeb's reign, India's borders extended to Afghanistan and present-day Myanmar, making the country akin to a "golden bird," with its GDP accounting for a quarter of the world's total. He later clarified in court that his remarks had been misinterpreted, but was suspended from Maharashtra's state assembly, and an investigation was initiated against him.

In 2022, Aurangzeb's name gained traction on social media when a dispute arose over a mosque built on the ruins of the Vishwanath temple, a grand 17th-century Hindu shrine destroyed by Aurangzeb's orders. His tomb was closed to visitors after a regional politician questioned its "need for existence" and called for its destruction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed "Aurangzeb's atrocities and 'his terror'" during an event in Varanasi that year, stating, "He tried to change civilization by the sword. He attempted to crush culture with fanaticism."

Who is Aurangzeb?

Aurangzeb was the sixth emperor of the Mughal empire, ruling India for nearly five decades from 1658 to 1707. He is often characterized as a devout Muslim who led an ascetic life but was ruthless in his quest for empire expansion, imposing strict sharia laws and discriminatory taxes. While he has been accused of demolishing Hindu temples, some critics argue that he also constructed a few during his reign.