Nagpur violence: BJP MP alleges "defamation" of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

Following clashes in Nagpur over the demand by Vishva Hindu Parishad to remove Aurangzeb's grave, BJP MP Anil Bonde on Tuesday alleged that the clashes erupted due to "people into organised crime", calling it an effort to "defame" Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"Those who are into organised crime, get instigated to start violence, that is what has happened in Nagpur. Such things are being done to defame the govt of Devendra Fadnavis," Bonde told ANI.

Bonde criticised opposition MVA parties and alleged NCP (SCP)'s Jitendra Awhad of having praised Aurangzeb.

"Protest was held demanding removal of Aurangzeb's grave. Now, in Maharashtra, leaders of Congress and NCP(SP) give statements like Jitendra Awhad said that if there were no Aurangzeb, there wouldn't have been Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj either," alleged the BJP MP.

Earlier in the day, curfew was in several areas of Nagpur city under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following the clashes.

The restrictions will remain until further notice, according to the official order issued by Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal.

The police have been authorised to close roads in affected areas to maintain law and order. Anyone violating the curfew "remains punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)."

The curfew applies to police station limits in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.

According to the order, on March 17, around 200 to 250 members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal gathered near the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal, Nagpur, to support removing Aurangzeb's grave.