Nagpur violence: Evidence suggests pre-planned clashes fueled by provocative slogans and ‘Jung-e-Badar’ references | File Photo
Mumbai: Fresh revelations have surfaced in the ongoing investigation into the violent clashes that erupted in Nagpur on March 17, suggesting that provocative references to “Jung-e-Badar” were used to incite mob frenzy. The central intelligence agency apparatus has taken cognizance development and are probing a deeper communal conspiracy behind the violence.
Preliminary findings suggest that the violence may not have been spontaneous. Senior intelligence officials, speaking to The Free Press Journal (FPJ) on condition of anonymity, indicated that the clashes appeared to have been meticulously pre-planned. Investigators have reportedly uncovered evidence that several individual suspects involved had arrived in Nagpur from outside the city and had assembled well in advance, hinting at a coordinated strategy.
Sources revealed that the rioters were well-armed, carrying axes, sticks, stones, petrol bombs, and other weapons. Officials further observed striking similarities between the tactics employed in Nagpur and those witnessed in conflict-affected regions such as Kashmir—strategies aimed at instilling fear, disrupting public order, and inflaming religious sentiments. Significantly, the violence erupted within a two-kilometer radius of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters, intensifying concerns over the deliberate nature of the unrest. Intelligence agencies have also indicated the possibility of an underlying political link to the communal violence, noting that the scale and location of the incident were both unexpected and strategically unusual.
Intelligence sources highlighted that the timing of the unrest coincided with key religious dates, including the widely celebrated Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti. Additionally, this period marked the Islamic commemoration of the Battle of Badr (Jung-e-Badr), a historic event observed by Muslims.Officials suspect certain groups may have sought to exploit this convergence to stoke communal tensions deliberately.
For context, the jung-e-Badr (Battle of Badr) holds significant symbolic importance in Islamic history, as it marks the first major victory of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the 17th day of Ramadan in 624 AD. Agencies suggest that anti-national elements may have attempted to leverage this date, aligning it with Shivaji Jayanti celebrations, as a tool for their terror agenda to target Nagpur—widely regarded as the ideological stronghold of the RSS.
Adding to the mounting evidence, several videos from the incident have surfaced and are currently under police scrutiny. These videos depict mobs raising provocative slogans, with one particularly concerning clip showing a large group chanting “Labbayk Ya Rasool Allah” while advancing aggressively. The footage, largely featuring young individuals, captures the crowd shouting slogans in unison, creating a charged and volatile atmosphere near Ganesh Peth police station and Shivaji Chowk. The slogan “Labbayk Ya Rasool Allah” means “I am present, O Messenger of Allah” or “I am ready for you, O Messenger of Allah”. While the slogan traditionally expresses religious devotion, law enforcement officials are probing whether it was deliberately used to mobilize and incite the crowd.
Intelligence officials also highlighted that the RSS leadership has long been on the radar of terrorist groups. Direct attacks, however, have proven difficult, leading agencies to believe that instigating local violence may have been a calculated attempt to display strength and intent.
Police are also investigating potential political links to the unrest. Several individuals have been detained, including Faheem Shamim Khan, city president of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP), who has been remanded in police custody until March 21 for further questioning. Officials suspect that the strategy behind the Nagpur violence mirrors the “Kashmir model”—orchestrated efforts designed to provoke communal discord, destabilize the region, and disrupt social harmony. Many rioters reportedly covered their faces and were seen wielding swords.
Further disturbing details have emerged from the Ganesh Peth police FIR, which sheds light on the mob’s tactics and violent intent.
According to the FIR, members of the mob incited one another by shouting provocative slogans such as, “Now the police are visible, we should not spare them or any Hindu.” False rumors were deliberately spread, accusing police officers of siding with one community and burning religious symbols, further inflaming tensions.
Rioters reportedly attacked police personnel at Bhaldar Pura Chowk with deadly weapons and stones, with clear intent to kill. Petrol bombs were prepared and hurled to prevent officers from performing their duties. Police personnel were subjected to physical assault using sticks, stones, and weapons, endangering their own lives and public safety.
Shockingly, the FIR also reports incidents of sexual harassment against female police officers. Taking advantage of the darkness, some individuals allegedly touched the uniform and body of a female constable with indecent intent, causing her distress. Other female officers were subjected to sexual misconduct, including obscene gestures, lewd comments, and harassment at multiple locations.
The violence initially erupted at Chitnispura Chowk before spreading to Geetanjali Chowk, Hansapuri, and Old Bhandara Road. Shops primarily owned by Hindus were targeted, CCTV cameras vandalized, and several vehicles—both two-wheelers and four-wheelers—set ablaze. Witnesses reported that around 100 to 150 youths gathered at various points before converging at Old Bhandara Road. While Hindu-owned establishments were predominantly targeted, vehicles belonging to Muslims were also damaged, including one four-wheeler that was torched and overturned.
Investigators assert that the deliberate targeting, the pre-planned routes, and the arming of mobs with dangerous weapons suggest a coordinated attempt to incite fear and disrupt communal harmony in Nagpur.
