Nagpur Police on Wednesday arrested Fahim Shamim Khan, a local leader of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), identifying him as the alleged mastermind behind the communal violence that erupted in the city on March 17, leaving several people injured and causing widespread damage to property. Khan’s arrest came shortly after his name was officially added to an FIR registered at Ganeshpeth Police Station. His photograph was circulated by the authorities earlier in the day, and a video emerged showing him allegedly delivering an inflammatory speech, which investigators believe was a catalyst for the violence that ensued shortly after.
The 38-year-old politician, who serves as the city president of the MDP and resides in Sanjay Bagh Colony, Yashodhara Nagar, has been remanded to police custody until March 21 for further interrogation. Senior police officials, citing initial investigations and video evidence, stated that Khan’s provocative remarks seemed to have played a critical role in inciting tensions and escalating the situation into a full-blown communal clash between two groups.
Khan is no stranger to local politics. He had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Nagpur constituency on an MDP ticket, challenging senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. However, he suffered a massive defeat, losing by over 6.5 lakh votes — a stark reminder of his limited electoral reach despite his prominent role in local minority politics.
The violence originated in Nagpur’s Chitnis Park area after rumors began circulating about the desecration of a community’s holy book during a right-wing protest. The demonstration, reportedly organized to demand the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, took a violent turn. Tensions flared rapidly, leading to clashes between opposing groups. Mobs began pelting stones at each other and the police, resulting in chaos. At least 34 police personnel sustained injuries while attempting to control the escalating situation, with some officers hospitalized for head injuries and fractures.
Following the clashes, a complaint was filed against the protesters, accusing them of inflaming religious sentiments and instigating violence. This led to an FIR being lodged. However, no arrests have been made regarding the original protest that triggered the violence, sparking criticism from some sections of the community, who allege a biased approach in handling the situation.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to enforce strict measures to restore peace in the city. A senior police official confirmed that while the situation is now "under control," a curfew remains imposed across several sensitive areas prone to further disturbances. More than 2,000 armed police personnel have been stationed to maintain law and order, with additional reinforcements on standby. Police have also set up checkpoints at key entry and exit points in Nagpur to prevent outsiders from inflaming tensions further.
Nagpur Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, addressing the media, reiterated that law enforcement would take a "zero-tolerance" approach to anyone found instigating violence, regardless of their political affiliation or social standing. He emphasized that ongoing investigations would continue to examine social media platforms for misinformation and provocative content that might have contributed to the unrest.
Khan’s legal team, on the other hand, has argued that his speech was misinterpreted and taken out of context. His lawyer, in a statement, claimed that Khan was merely advocating for peace and unity, and accused political opponents of exploiting the situation to tarnish his image.
Community leaders from both sides have since called for restraint, urging citizens to avoid falling prey to rumors. The local administration has started outreach programs in affected neighborhoods to promote dialogue and restore trust among residents. Many residents, however, remain on edge, fearing a repeat of the violence.
This incident has once again spotlighted the fragile communal harmony in the region, raising concerns about the role of political figures in influencing public sentiment and the spread of inflammatory content both on the ground and online. Authorities are now considering implementing stricter guidelines for public gatherings and speeches in sensitive areas to prevent similar incidents in the future.
