Pune Sees Violent Clashes Between BJP and Congress Workers Over Shivaji-Tipu Remarks

Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal's remarks comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan have sparked a political row in Maharashtra. The controversy has led to violent clashes between BJP and Congress workers in Pune, resulting in injuries to nine individuals.

In the aftermath of the outrage, BJP and Congress workers clashed in Pune, with stone pelting reported near the Congress Bhawan, the party's headquarters in the city. The incident led to minor injuries for three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police personnel, and two journalists, according to Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma.

Sharma told PTI news agency that a protest was held near the Congress Bhawan, during which there was sloganeering from workers of both parties. “Workers of both parties climbed onto walls and there was stone pelting from both sides. Cases are being registered against workers of both sides,” Sharma said.

Following the incident, Pune city Congress chief Arvind Shinde said the party had submitted a written complaint against BJP functionaries. Shinde urged for a case to be registered against Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, BJP City president Dheeraj Ghate, Dushyant Mohol, and other workers.

Sapkal's remarks, which sparked the row, allegedly drew similarities between the 17th-century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the 18th-century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan. Sapkal made these remarks on Saturday while speaking to reporters about the controversy over a portrait of Tipu Sultan displayed in the office of Malegaon municipal corporation's deputy mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed, who is Muslim.

The display of the portrait of the Mysore ruler, known for his resistance against British colonialists, was opposed by Shiv Sena and other groups. Sapkal, while speaking in Marathi, allegedly compared the bravery and ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with those of Tipu Sultan, stating that the latter had fought against the British and should be regarded as a courageous warrior and a “son of the soil.”

Following this, an FIR was registered against Sapkal on a complaint filed by BJP Pune city unit president Dhiraj Ghate. The complainant alleged that the remarks hurt the sentiments of followers who revere Shivaji Maharaj as a deity-like figure, calling them provocative in nature and having the potential to disturb social harmony.

While the police initiated a probe into the video and circumstances under which the statements were made, Sapkal issued a clarification. “I want to clearly state that the founder of Hindavi Swarajya, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is our pride, honour, and glory. It was through his valour that Hindutva Swarajya was established,” ANI cited Sapkal as saying. The Congress leader said that “taking inspiration from that, Tipu Sultan carried forward the struggle for self-rule.” He further alleged that his remarks were being “politicised by the BJP.”