Riots broke out in Nagpur, Maharashtra, after a statement was made to remove the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, which is being blamed on actor Vicky Kaushal’s film.
According to Indian media reports, amid the ongoing Aurangzeb controversy in Maharashtra and Monday’s violence in Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a recent statement blamed Vicky Kaushal’s recently released film ‘Chhawa’ for the people’s anger against the 17th century Mughal emperor.
Speaking about the violence in Nagpur after a rumour spread that a group had burnt a religious book, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the riots were planned in advance.
He said in the Maharashtra Assembly, ‘This violent incident and the riots seem to be planned in advance’. The Chief Minister also said that ‘specific houses and institutions were targeted by the mob, it all seems to be a conspiracy’.
The BJP leader blamed Vicky Kaushal’s film Chhava, a recent biopic on Chhatrapati Shivaji, for the “anger” among people against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He also appealed to the people to keep the state peaceful.
Fadnavis, in his speech in the Legislative Assembly, said, “The film Chhava has incited people’s anger against Aurangzeb. Still, the people should keep Maharashtra peaceful.”
A police officer told foreign media that several vehicles were damaged and several people were injured in the violence in Nagpur on Monday, including at least 15 policemen, one of whom is in a critical condition.