New Delhi: Amid the violence and communal tension in Nagpur, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has targeted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, terming the incident as a “gross failure” of his government.
“The RSS and its sister organizations are adept at fanning flames and provoking people on such issues. And yesterday we saw violence in Nagpur. The city has a history of over 300 years and it has never seen communal disturbances. Nagpur is Fadnavis’s own city, and the violence is a gross failure of his government and the Home Ministry (which the CM heads),” Raut said in an interview with the Indian Express.
He added that the issue was flared up after the film Chhava’s release. The movie is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who was killed by Aurangzeb.
“Some people have said they will desecrate Aurangzeb’s tomb. Who has stopped them (from doing so)? It is their own government in the state, they don’t need to riot. Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, they should all go and dig it up. They should issue an ordinance, a government resolution, and destroy his tomb if they wish to do so. Why shy away from that (if they are serious about it)?” Raut told the newspaper.
On the night of Monday (March 18), violence had erupted in parts of Nagpur after a protest, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, called for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. During the violence, several vehicles were set on fire, shops were vandalised and stones were pelted at the police.
Earlier on Tuesday (March 18), had termed the communal violence in Nagpur “premeditated conspiracy,” and the mob had targeted specific houses and establishments.
“A group of people in a planned pattern attacked police personnel, with an intention of disturbing social harmony in parts of Nagpur. Thirty-three police personnel, including three DCPs, have been injured severely. Five citizens have been injured, and one of them is admitted to the ICU,” Fadnavis had said in the Maharashtra assembly, reported Hindustan Times.
