Modi’s Nagpur visit as planned despite recent violence: CM

Nagpur: Ruling out security concerns against the backdrop of recent violence in the city, CM Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that PM Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Nagpur on March 30 will proceed without disruption."The riots will not impact the prime minister's visit. Nearly 80% of Nagpur was unaffected, and the unrest was limited to a specific area. The city remains secure, and all arrangements for the visit are in place," Fadnavis told reporters following a review meeting with senior police officials.Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for Madhav Netralaya, a state-of-the-art eye hospital and research institute, coinciding with Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year. The visit will also mark Modi sharing stage with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat after the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya last year.Fadnavis criticised the Congress for including an individual accused in the Akola riots in its delegation to assess the recent violence in Nagpur. "This reveals their lack of seriousness. When those accused of inciting riots are tasked with reviewing the situation the entire exercise becomes a farce," he said.Without naming anyone directly, Fadnavis's remarks were widely interpreted as targeting Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan, who was reportedly named in an Akola riot case. Pathan dismissed the allegations, challenging the CM to provide evidence of his conviction."Fadnavis should clarify which court has convicted me," Pathan told TOI. "The Congress panel was formed to assess the situation and promote peace in violence-torn Nagpur. Instead of making baseless claims against elected representatives, the CM should focus on restoring law and order in his own city."Senior Congress leader and former MPCC president Manikrao Thakre accused Fadnavis of attempting to shift focus away from the administration's failure to control the violence."Several BJP leaders and ministers have made inflammatory remarks, yet the CM remains silent. Not a single BJP leader has condemned the riots. Maintaining law and order is the govt's fundamental duty, irrespective of which community is affected. If they cannot fulfil this responsibility, it is a clear failure of governance. The governor should consider dismissing such an incompetent administration," Thakre said.Meanwhile, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar recently stated that the govt would not tolerate attacks on a particular community. Asked about this, Fadnavis responded that he had not heard Pawar's statement but asserted that his govt would protect all "patriotic individuals, regardless of their caste or religious affiliations". "We do not support targeting any law-abiding citizens," Fadnavis said and added that "those attempting to create divisions, spread hatred, or incite violence will not be spared."When questioned about speculation that the riots were orchestrated to weaken his leadership, Fadnavis dismissed the claims outright. "These assertions are entirely baseless," he said. "This is a serious incident, and those responsible will be held accountable."