Maharashtra Congress chief likens Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan; booked for hurting sentiments | India News

New Delhi: Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal on Saturday sparked a controversy after his comparison Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan.Speaking to reporters on the controversy surrounding a portrait of Tipu Sultan displayed in the office of Malegaon Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed, which was opposed by the Shiv Sena and other parties, Sapkal said in Marathi that the Mysore ruler followed the ideals of Shivaji Maharaj.“The kind of bravery that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had and the concept of ‘Swarajya’ (self-rule) that he introduced… Much later, following that tradition and inspired by his ideals, Tipu Sultan fought against the British,” Sapkal said.“In that sense, Tipu Sultan was a great warrior who displayed immense valor and was a true child of India. He never allowed any poisonous or communal ideas to influence him. As a symbol of bravery, we should see Tipu Sultan as the equivalent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he added.Bharatiya Janata Party A complaint was lodged against Sapkal in Pune after which the police booked Sapkal under Sections 192, 196(1), 196(2), 352 and 356(2) of the Indian Penal Code.The complaint alleged that Sapkal’s comments hurt the sentiments of Hindus and followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and had the potential to disrupt communal harmony.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also weighed in on the issue and said the comparison was deplorable and asserted that the Congress leader must feel ashamed of himself.Meanwhile, Congress leader Sachin Sawant accused the BJP of “double standards” and pursuing a polarizing agenda after facing criticism for ‘equating’ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Sapkal Tipu Sultan.In a statement, the Congress spokesperson cited several instances to claim that BJP leaders had earlier endorsed or endorsed 18th-century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in public spaces and official forums.He cited the resolutions of civic bodies in Okola and Mumbai, as well as past instances where BJP leaders were accused of praising or being associated with historical figures, to argue that the party’s current opposition was politically motivated.BJP earlier praised Tipu Sultan, but now badmouths him for his polarizing agenda. “What should this hypocrisy be called? Tipu Sultan used to wear a ring bearing Lord Rama’s name,” Sawant claimed.The Congress leader also accused the ruling party of indulging in “perverted religious politics” and trying to polarize voters, while reiterating the party’s criticism of the BJP’s stand on the issue.