Nagpur riots: Hindu extremist group demands destruction of Aurangzeb's tomb

(Web Desk): Violent clashes broke out in the Indian city of Nagpur following demands from a Hindu extremist group to demolish the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, after which the authorities imposed an indefinite curfew.

According to the police, several vehicles were set on fire during the riots on Monday, and more than fifteen police officers were injured, one of whom is reported to be in critical condition.

Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, condemned the violence in a video message and said that strict measures would be taken to restore law and order.

According to the police report, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) burned an effigy of Aurangzeb's tomb and chanted slogans demanding its destruction. The situation worsened when members of Muslim groups took to the streets near the police station to protest, leading to clashes.

Eyewitnesses reported that some people in the crowd were wearing masks and armed with sharp-edged weapons. However, the VHP denied any involvement in the violence, stating that they want to build a memorial for Maratha rulers at the tomb's location.

Nagpur is the same city where the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is located, which is the ideological organization of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, the BJP. Modi's critics often accuse him of bias against Muslims and of failing to take action against extremists, although his government denies these claims.