Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 18 : Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi on Tuesday expressed deep regret over the Nagpur violence, calling it unprecedented in a city known for communal harmony.
In a self-made video, Azmi, emphasizing unity and progress, appealed to everyone to maintain peace and work towards the nation's development.
"I am regretful and deeply saddened that Nagpur, where everyone was living with harmony, communal riots never occurred earlier, has witnessed such a major incident this time. Several people have been injured. I just want to say, do not get provoked by anyone. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and work towards the progress of the country," the Samajwadi Party MLA said.
Earlier today, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane held Abu Azmi responsible for the violence in and said that it was a preplanned violence to defame the State government.
"Abu Azmi is responsible for this. He started this issue. This was a preplanned violence to defame the government. We will not spare those who raise their hands on our police personnel. Strict action will be taken in this matter," Rane told media persons.
Abu Azmi had reportedly said that Aurangzeb was not a "cruel administrator" and "built many temples". He added that the battle between the Mughal emperor and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was for state administration and not about Hindu and Muslim.
Earlier, while speaking in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the violence "looks like a well-planned attack" and that certain rumours were spread that religious verses were burnt as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal protested in the winter capital of the state.
"In Nagpur, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held protests. Rumours were spread that things containing religious content were burnt...It looks like a well-planned attack. No one has permission to take law and order into their hands," Fadnavis said while addressing the assembly.
Apprising about the injuries sustained by police personnel, he stated that attacks on police would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against those involved in violence. He said that three Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) sustained injuries, and one DCP was attacked with an axe.
A curfew was imposed in multiple areas of Nagpur city under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following tensions over the demand to remove Aurangzeb's grave. According to the official order issued by Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, the restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
The curfew applies to police station limits in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.