New Delhi [India], March 18 (ANI): Following tensions in Nagpur over the demand by Vishva Hindu Parishad to remove Aurangzeb's grave, Bharatiya Janata party MP Anil Bonde said on Tuesday that the clashes erupted due to people who are 'into organised crime' being instigated to start violence, and calling it an effort to 'defame' Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

'Those who are into organised crime, get instigated to start violence, that is what has happened in Nagpur. Such things are being done to defame the govt of Devendra Fadnavis,' Bonde told ANI.

He further criticised Opposition MVA parties for their statements, alleging that NCP (SCP)'s Jitendra Awhad had also praised Aurangzeb.

'Protest was held demanding removal of Aurangzeb's grave. Now, in Maharashtra, leaders of Congress and NCP(SP) give statements like Jitendra Awhad said that if there were no Aurangzeb, there wouldn't have been Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj either,' alleged the BJP MP.

Earlier today, curfew was imposed in multiple areas of Nagpur city under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following clashes erupting.

According to the official order issued by Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, the restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

The curfew applies to police station limits in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar.

According to the order, on March 17, around 200 to 250 members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal gathered near the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mahal, Nagpur, to support removing Aurangzeb's grave. The protesters raised slogans demanding the grave's removal and displayed a symbolic green cloth filled with cow dung cakes.

The order stated that the police have imposed a 'communication ban (curfew)' in affected areas under Section 163 to prevent further incidents and maintain peace.

The police have been authorised to close roads in affected areas to maintain law and order. Anyone violating the curfew 'remains punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).' (ANI)