Row over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj–Tipu Sultan comparison: 9 injured as BJP, Congress workers clash in stone pelting after Sapkal’s remarks | India News
New Delhi: At least nine people were injured on Sunday after clashes broke out between BJP and Congress workers in Pune to protest against Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal’s remarks, which allegedly equated Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan.Clashes broke out outside the Congress building, where BJP workers had gathered to protest Sapkal’s remarks. The situation heated up with sloganeering and stone pelting from both sides, resulting in minor injuries.Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said that three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police personnel and two journalists were injured in the incident.“A demonstration was held near the Congress building, where slogans were raised by BJP and Congress workers. When workers from both sides climbed the wall, stones were pelted from both sides. Cases are being filed against the workers of both the parties,” Sharma said.Police have deployed tight security in the area to avoid further tension.The controversy stems from recent comments by Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal, in which he referred to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s heroism and Tipu Sultan’s resistance to the British as being on the same lines. The comment sparked a political backlash in the state.Speaking to reporters, Sapkal said: “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.”“In that sense, Tipu Sultan was a great warrior who displayed immense valor and was a true son of India. He never allowed any poisonous or sectarian ideas to influence him. As a symbol of bravery, we should see Tipu Sultan as the equivalent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he added.A day earlier, a separate row erupted over a portrait of Tipu Sultan displayed in the Malegaon Municipal Corporation deputy mayor’s office, which was opposed by Shiv Sena corporators and Hindu organisations.Pune City Congress chief Arvind Shinde said the party had submitted a written complaint against the BJP worker and demanded action.He said cases should be filed against mayor Manjusha Nagpure, BJP city president Dheeraj Ghat, Dushyant Mahal and other activists.Speaking to PTI, Maharashtra Congress vice-president Mohan Joshi alleged that BJP workers had started the violence.“During the protest, stones were pelted on Congress workers and two were injured. We are currently protesting outside the police station in Shivajinagar demanding action,” he said.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krishikesh Rawale said the police intervened immediately to prevent the situation from escalating.Meanwhile, BJP Pune City Unit President Dheeraj Ghate filed a complaint against Sapkal at Parvati police station for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments. An FIR has been registered.The political exchange became intense as Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant accused the BJP of “double standards” and pursuing a polarizing agenda.In a statement, Sawant cited past instances where BJP leaders supported references to 18th-century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in public spaces and official forums. He referred to resolutions passed by civic bodies in Akola and Mumbai and alleged that BJP leaders had earlier praised or associated with the historical figure.“What should be called this hypocrisy? Tipu Sultan used to wear a ring bearing Lord Rama’s name,” he demanded.Sawant alleged that the BJP is now portraying Tipu Sultan negatively to create religious divide and indulge in “perverted religious politics”.He cited other examples, including the 2012 proposal of the Okola Municipal Corporation to name a hall after Tipu Sultan, a 2013 proposal supported by BJP corporators to name a road in Mumbai and the 2001 naming of a road in Andheri (West). He also claimed that former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa visited Tipu Sultan’s mausoleum and wrote a eulogy and then President Ram Nath Kovind eulogized Tipu Sultan in the Karnataka Assembly in 2017.
