Nagpur Violence: Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad appeals for peace, urges govt to limit leaders making "provocative statements"

"I request the people of Maharashtra to maintain peace. The state government should now try to make the situation normal. There is Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, which is a symbol of peace. It is important to talk about peace. The government should stop the provocative statements coming from leaders."

When asked to comment on claims made by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had "apologised" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier and wanted to rejoin the alliance, she said, "Eknath Shinde should worry about his own party. If his own party is shut down in the coming days, we won't be surprised."

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday lashed out at the ruling Mahayuti government in Maharashtra over Nagpur violence, claiming that it was a "government-sponsored incident".

Wadettiwar, in a scathing attack against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader T Raja Singh, called for a ban against him in Maharashtra, accusing him of "inciting violence." He also accused the Mahayuti government of promoting such people.

"This is a government-sponsored incident. Shambar takke main bol rha hu...T Raja (Telangana BJP leader) should be banned in Maharashtra. He is inciting violence here. Such worthless people should be shown their place. It is the government that is promoting such people," Wadettiwar, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, told reporters.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the violence that erupted in Nagpur "looks like a well-planned attack". He said that rumours were spread that things containing religious content were burnt, as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal protested in the winter capital of the state.

"In Nagpur, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held protests. Rumours were spread that things containing religious content were burnt...It looks like a well-planned attack. No one has permission to take law and order into their hands," Fadnavis said while addressing the legislative assembly.

Earlier today, Maharashtra Junior Minister for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam condemned the recent violence in Nagpur, stating that it is a very serious matter. He emphasised that strictest action would be taken against those responsible for attacking Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-level officers and other police personnel.

Additionally, Kadam spoke about the ongoing actions against illegal Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra, which will be intensified. (ANI)