Days after violent clashes shook Maharashtra’s Nagpur, police have arrested the man accused of orchestrating the unrest—Fahim Shamim Khan, a local politician from the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP).Khan is believed to have provoked people, incited violence, and played a role in spreading rumours that a holy book was desecrated by right-wing groups during their protest over the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb.According to PTI, Khan has been now named in one of six FIRs filed in connection with the clashes, which left over 70 people injured—including 34 police personnel. He, along with 50 others, is now under investigation.AdvertisementAuthorities have placed him in police custody until Friday as they probe his alleged role in the
Nagpur riots.But who is Fahim Khan, and what was his involvement in the violence? Here’s what we know about the man accused of being the mastermind behind the chaos.Who is Fahim Khan?Fahim Shamim Khan, 38, serves as the city president of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP) in Nagpur. Though not widely known in mainstream politics, he has been an active voice in local affairs, particularly advocating for minority rights.According to The Indian Express, the MDP was founded in 2009 as the political arm of Imaan Tanzeem, an organisation led by Mohammad Hamid Engineer. In 2015, Engineer was part of a delegation of Muslim leaders who met PM Narendra Modi to discuss issues affecting the Sunni community.Senior leaders of the Muslim community from across the country met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise him of their concerns in 2015. Image courtesy: PMIndia.gov.inThe organisation primarily works to politically empower the Ahle Sunnatul Jamaat while conserving traditional Sunni practices. Khan, a resident of Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar, has been vocal about creating political alternatives for Muslims and has often criticised mainstream parties for neglecting their concerns.Ahead of last year’s Assembly elections, he made a striking comparison while urging Muslims to seek political alternatives beyond Congress. “The situation of Muslim voters within the Congress is like that of a professional dancer at Indian weddings. He may groove and light up the atmosphere of the ‘baraat’ (wedding procession), but once it reaches the wedding venue, he is not even invited inside,” Khan had remarked.Editor’s Picks1Aurangzeb tomb row: How Mughal king’s final resting place has led to violent clashes in Nagpur2Why Maharashtra government cannot remove Aurangzeb’s tombHe contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Nagpur, challenging senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. However, his campaign failed to gain traction—he managed just 1,073 votes, while Gadkari secured victory with a margin of over 6.5 lakh votes.In his election affidavit, Khan declared assets worth Rs 75,000, with no liabilities or reported annual income. The document also revealed that he had three pending criminal cases, though none involved serious offences.AdvertisementHow Khan ‘incited’ Nagpur riotsOn March 17, tensions erupted in Nagpur as around 250 members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest at Shivaji Putla Square near Mahal Gate, demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad.The demonstration was reportedly sparked by the release of Chhaava, a film that portrays the execution of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj at the hands of Aurangzeb, reigniting anger against the 17th-century ruler.Bajrang Dal and VHP workers take part in a protest, demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb, in Nagpur on Monday. PTISoon after, rumours spread that members of the right-wing groups had set fire to a holy book belonging to the Muslim community and desecrated a religious chadar, triggering outrage and heightening communal tensions. The situation quickly escalated, leading to widespread violence.According to News18, which cited the FIR, Fahim Shamim Khan—acting as the local leader of the MDP—allegedly played a key role in inciting unrest. He reportedly urged people to gather first near the Ganesh Peth Police Station and later at a mosque in the Mahal area, both of which became flashpoints for the riots.AdvertisementPolice dispersed an agitating crowd as communal tension prevailed Chitnis Park area following the VHP-Bajrang Dal protest, in Nagpur. PTIAuthorities claim Khan helped spread rumours about the alleged desecration, inflaming emotions further. Several videos from the clashes show rioters purportedly chanting slogans in support of Aurangzeb, referring to him as “Alamgir Hazrat”.However, the MDP has denied these allegations, maintaining that Khan had only visited the police station to demand action against those responsible for defiling religious texts. They insist he was arrested inside the station before any violence broke out.“Everyone in the country has the right to protest. The Constitution allows you to burn the effigy of Aurangzeb, and we do not have a problem with that. But why desecrate holy verses? Fahim, along with a delegation of our workers, went there to request action against those involved in the desecration. We are shocked that the police have booked and arrested him instead of taking action against the perpetrators,” MDP leader Alim Patel was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.AdvertisementBy Monday evening, nearly 1,000 people had taken to the streets, leading to large-scale rioting. Stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson were reported, with multiple vehicles, police cars, traffic booths, and houses being damaged. The mob used dangerous weapons like axes, stones, and petrol bombs to attack the police.Police personnel were deployed in large numbers after tensions broke out following a dispute between two groups at the Mahal area in Nagpur on March 17, 2025. PTIPolice personnel were attacked as they tried to disperse the crowd, with several officers sustaining injuries. Disturbing reports later emerged of a
female police officer being molested by rioters, who allegedly tore her uniform in an attempt to disrobe her, while others made obscene gestures at the women officers.With the violence spiralling out of control, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in sensitive areas, restricting movement and public gatherings to prevent further escalation.AdvertisementAddressing the situation at a press conference on Wednesday, Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal confirmed that authorities were investigating whether the violence was orchestrated by a single individual or a larger network.“We are verifying the names coming up in relation to the rioting,” he stated, as the probe into one of Nagpur’s most intense communal clashes in recent years continues.With input from agenciesMore from Explainers
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Who is Fahim Khan, arrested for ‘inciting’ Nagpur violence over Aurangzeb tomb?
