Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday hit out at Maharashtra government over the violent clashes that broke out in central Nagpur late Monday night.

Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Aaditya alleged, “I think BJP wants to make Maharashtra the next Manipur… Why did no reaction come from the CMO when violence was spreading in Nagpur?”

“If you take a look at Manipur, the state has been experiencing violence since 2023. There are conflicts across the state. Will there be investments there or growth in tourism? No. They want to put Maharashtra in the same situation. I was reading today that Vietnam is a smaller country than India, and the population is also less, but their electronic industry is 3 times more. Our country considers itself strong, but the BJP is trying to divide the country into districts, religions, and castes,” said Worli MLA.

On Monday night, in a post on X, Aaditya responded to the incident, stating, “The law and order situation in the state has collapsed like never before. Nagpur, the home city of the CM and Home Minister, is facing this.”

The incident from last evening has sparked a political uproar in the state, as opposition parties attacked the BJP-ruled state government over the incident.

BJP is trying to turn Maharashtra into Gujarat: Congress

Congress MP Praniti Shinde, daughter of former Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, responding to the Nagpur violence, told news agency PTI, “They (referring to BJP) are trying to turn Maharashtra into Gujarat. Since they came to power, they have repeatedly tried to create divisions in society in the name of religion… They keep attempting to provoke violence like they did in Gujarat… The most surprising thing is that the PM (Modi) himself delivers provocative speeches during his visits… There are so many contemporary issues in Maharashtra, but they don’t want to address those. Instead, they are turning a 300-year-old incident, which is a non-issue, into an issue.”

About the incident:

The clash between two groups broke out in central Nagpur late Monday night amid rumours that the holy book of the Muslim community was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing body demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

According to reports, approximately 40 police personnel and five civilians were injured in the violence.

Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal on Tuesday said that over 50 people have been taken into custody, and five FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has expressed concern over the Nagpur violence and appealed to maintain peace.

He said that Nagpur is a land where there has never been violence or communal violence. I am shocked that violence has taken place here. Action is going on in this matter, but I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and order and show patience and restraint because peace and love in the state is the need of the hour. Only then will hatred end.

He said that the holy month of Ramzan is going on, we should maintain peace and order and remain alert in every way.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and Assembly Speaker Shaikh has appealed for peace regarding the Nagpur violence and said that the peace of Maharashtra has been disturbed due to the statements of ministers and leaders spreading religious hatred. Therefore, I appeal with folded hands that everyone should avoid rhetoric to maintain peace and order.

He said that what happened in Nagpur yesterday is now under control here. Investigation of the case has also been started. The kind of atmosphere being created in Maharashtra had the danger of violence, in such a situation violence broke out in Nagpur.

He said that to maintain peace and order, an appeal has been made to all parties and all party leaders for peace.