In a heated political clash in Maharashtra, workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest outside the Congress party office in Pune on Sunday, condemning remarks by state Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal that allegedly equated the revered Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan. The demonstration outside Congress Bhavan escalated into a confrontation between supporters of the two parties, prompting heavy police deployment to maintain order.
Congress leaders claimed that stones were thrown during the BJP agitation, intensifying tensions in the city. The protest was a direct response to Sapkal's comments, which drew parallels between Shivaji's concept of “Swarajya,” or self-rule, and Tipu Sultan's resistance against British forces, portraying both as embodying similar ideals of valor and independence.
The controversy ignited on Saturday when a portrait of Tipu Sultan was displayed in the office of the deputy mayor of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation. This move immediately faced opposition from Shiv Sena corporators and certain Hindu groups, setting the stage for the broader political debate.
BJP leaders swiftly accused Sapkal of making an inappropriate comparison between the two historical figures, with Shivaji Maharaj held in high esteem by many in Maharashtra for his legacy of self-rule and warrior prowess. The party's outrage fueled the Sunday gathering in Pune, where supporters voiced their condemnation of what they viewed as an insult to Shivaji's legacy.
Congress leaders dismissed the BJP's criticism, countering that the ruling party was pursuing a divisive agenda. State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant accused the BJP of “double standards,” pointing out that the party had previously supported similar references to Tipu Sultan.
Sawant highlighted past resolutions by civic bodies in Maharashtra, including those in Akola and Mumbai, where BJP corporators had allegedly backed proposals to name public spaces after Tipu Sultan. He also referenced instances where BJP leaders had participated in events linked to the historical figure, underscoring what he described as inconsistent positions.
The standoff in Pune reflects deepening political rivalries in Maharashtra, where historical icons like Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan continue to stir passionate debates and accusations of selective outrage between the BJP and Congress.
