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Speaking to News18, Alok Kumar, VHP’s international president and senior advocate, claimed that some of the accused identified include people from Bengal, proving the violence was pre-planned
Charred remains of two-wheelers lie on a roadside in the aftermath of a violence that erupted on Monday in Nagpur. (PTI)
Senior functionaries of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliate Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) have said the spate of recent violence in Nagpur, allegedly triggered by claims of desecration of a holy book, was not spontaneous but ‘premeditated’. The statement followed the imposition of curfew in Nagpur.
They also claimed that the allegation of desecrating the holy book was ‘false’ and there was an involvement of ‘outsiders’ who fomented trouble. While the RSS has distanced itself from the row, saying the protests were neither official nor announced, some Hindu groups have taken matters into their own hands.
Meanwhile, the VHP vowed to continue its agitation against the ‘veneration’ of Aurangzeb’s tomb. Speaking with News18, Alok Kumar, VHP’s international president and senior advocate, said: “I am sorry about the violence perpetrated by the Muslim community in Nagpur. I understand that some of the persons who have been identified include people who are not from Nagpur, and some of them are from Bengal. This shows that there was premeditation and preparation for this.”
He added: “The statements that a holy book has been desecrated are entirely false and being circulated by some people with vested interests, who want to create disharmony. I look forward to the restoration of peace in Nagpur. Kumar also said the organisation would continue with its movement against the ‘veneration’ of Aurangzeb’s tomb.
In an official statement issued by the VHP, the organisation stated: “VHP has demanded strict action against the jihadis who spread rumours and carried out violence and arson in Nagpur. It has also demanded that a memorial of revered Dhanaji Jadhav, Santaji Ghorpade, and Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj be built in place of Aurangzeb’s tomb.”
Condemning the incident, VHP’s central general secretary, Milind Parande, said: “Homes of our youth wing Bajrang Dal workers were attacked, many Hindu households were targeted, and even women were not spared. The Vishva Hindu Parishad strongly condemns all of this in the harshest terms. It is extremely shameful that not only was a lie spread that Hindu society had burned verses (from the holy book), but also a vile attempt was made to incite violence. The strongest possible action must be taken against such anti-social, jihadi elements.”
He added: “The glorification of Aurangzeb’s tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) must stop immediately and any plans to renovate it should not even be considered. Instead, a victory memorial should be built there to honour Shri Dhanaji Jadhav, Shri Santaji Ghorpade, and Chhatrapati Shri Rajaram Maharaj — those who defeated Aurangzeb in the Maratha empire. The Vishva Hindu Parishad is making this demand and calls for immediate and strict action against all those involved in the violence to crush such elements decisively.”
Senior RSS functionaries said the programmes are not official or announced stands of the RSS. There are some Hindu groups which spearheaded spontaneous agitation and the film Chhava, reaffirmed their ideas.
- Location :
Nagpur, India, India
