Nagpur communal violence: Suspected mastermind Fahim Khan's house faces bulldozer action

The unauthorised portion of the two-storey building of Khan is being brought down in presence of officers and personnel from the police and civic body of Nagpur.

The curfew, which was placed following the riot on March 17, was completely lifted on Sunday.

Massive violence broke out in Maharashtra's Nagpur on Monday amid a row over the call to remove Aurangzeb's tomb.

The clash between two groups in Nagpur's Mahal broke out hours after the right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb. There has been tension in the area since.

Later, stones were pelted, and several vehicles, including a few belonging to the fire brigade, were torched.

The violence triggered a predictable political tussle between the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and the BJP and its ally, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction.

Conspiracy and 'Chhaava'

Speaking in the Assembly this afternoon, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed it to be a "premeditated conspiracy... to target specific houses and establishments".

In a twist, he also mentioned the role of 'Chhaava', a recently released Hindi film about the Marathas' battle with Aurangzeb, in the violence.

"Chhaava brought the history of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj before the people and their sentiments were ignited. Also, the public anger against Aurangzeb is coming to the fore.

"Keeping these things in mind, the law and order system must be maintained and everyone should be patient. If anyone riots, we will take action regardless of caste or religion," Fadnavis said.

Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) responded sharply to the Chief Minister's remarks.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, Sena (UBT)'s Rajya Sabha MP, said it was "amazing that a movie on the valour of Chattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is now being called the instigator".

"Shameful blame game! The incapable Rane dynast mantri is not responsible, the CM's instigating statements not responsible, Navneet Rana's comments not responsible. Who is being held responsible for the riots of Nagpur? A movie that celebrated the valour of Chattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. What a fall," she said in a post on X.