The release of Chhava Movie, produced by Dinesh Vijan and directed by Laxman Utekar, stirred up old emotions, especially among right-wing groups. These emotions soon turned into actions. On March 16, 2025, communal riots erupted in various parts of Nagpur over the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Ironically, the tomb lies nearly 500 kilometres away from Nagpur in Khuldabad city of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District, formerly known as Aurangabad. This city was named after Aurangzeb. Despite the distance, the riots in Nagpur escalated into violent clashes, resulting in multiple injuries and communal unrest. Who was Aurangzeb? Born in Dahod, Gujarat, Aurangzeb was the Sixth Mughal emperor, who ruled most of the Indian Subcontinent from 1658 to 1707. His rule is celebrated by many historians for some of his administrative reforms, but criticised by others for his harsh policies and treatment of non-muslims via policies like the Jizya tax imposed on non-muslims. For years, the tomb was a peaceful site of historical and religious significance. However, after the release of Chhava and with political tensions growing, the tomb came into the spotlight. The tomb of Aurangzeb rests in Khuldabad, a small city in the Sambhajinagar/Aurangabad District, which is on the way to one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, i.e. Ellora Caves. It is an open-air structure considered modest for a ruler of his stature. He wanted his grave to be a simple one and believed that the open dome was the greatest cover he could have for his tomb. Protests and Demands Aurangzeb’s legacy remains controversial in Maharashtra, as Sambhaji was executed by Aurangzeb. The protests were headed by right-wing groups like the VHP and Bajrang Dal, who demanded the demolition and removal of the tomb. They argued that safeguarding the tomb of a ruler they viewed as cruel and oppressive sends the wrong message to future generations. Right-wing groups warned that if the tomb is not removed, Babri-like action will be taken. Critics argue that this narrative is part of a larger political project that seeks to reshape Indian identity by questioning Islamic heritage linked to the Mughal era. The renaming of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is also cited as a symbol of this agenda. The Nagpur Violence On March 16, 2025, political organisations staged protests in Nagpur demanding the removal of the Tomb. During the demonstrations, rumours spread that a religious cloth was set on fire. Soon, the protests gained momentum and took a violent turn, triggering violent communal clashes between both sides around 8 to 8:30 pm, resulting in over 30 injuries, including police personnel. Nearly 60 rioters were taken into custody, and about 20 - 25 bikes, three cars and a JCB were set on fire after the clash in the Mahal area of the city. The following day, Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Singal said the situation in the city is currently peaceful. “…We have imposed Section 144, and everyone has been told not to step out unnecessarily or take the law into their hands. Do not believe rumours…” he said. All the shops and markets were shut down. Political Reactions Naturally, political remarks were quickly followed. “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to citizens to fully cooperate with the administration”, was said in the statement issued by CMO Maharashtra. Fadnavis stated in the state assembly, “We will protect Aurangzeb's grave but not allow his or the site's glorification. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's temple will be glorified, not Aurangzeb's grave.” The opposition strongly condemned the riots, criticising Fadnavis. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut compared the newly elected Fadnavis government to Aurangzeb’s rule, claiming that farmers and unemployed youth were committing suicide. This created a huge debate between the political parties. ASI tightened the security around the tomb in Khuldabad to prevent any clashes. The Grishneshwar temple, located in Ellora village, saw a dip in footfall from several tourists and devotees as the temple is en route to Ellora. Conclusion: When History, Media and Politics Intertwine The incident in Nagpur is not just about Tomb, but it also reflects how intertwined history, politics, and media are in Modern India. A movie meant to provide history about King Sambhaji to a younger audience ended up triggering real-world violence. This shows that the media is not about entertainment anymore; it is an influence. Media can reignite old scars and shape public sentiment and the social world around us in a powerful way.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
20 Mar 2025
Janak Joshi
