Riots erupt in Nagpur after VHP rally, rumours of holy book burning
Locals speculated that rumors of the Quran being burned during the protests triggered the violence, which eventually turned into a full-scale riot. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a video statement, urged the public not to believe the rumors and to restore peace, emphasizing Nagpur's longstanding reputation for calm.
While the police contained one group, the other continued to attack officers and vandalize vehicles, forcing authorities to fire tear gas shells.
Police personnel were also targeted during the chaos. The violence spread to nearby areas, including Chitnis Park, Kotwali, and Ganesh Peth, where mobs pelted stones at residential homes.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed for public cooperation with the police, assuring that authorities were actively managing the situation.