Nine injured as BJP, Congress workers clash in Pune over Shivaji–Tipu remark row

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• Nine injured as BJP, Congress workers clash in Pune protest
• Violence after remarks comparing Shivaji, Tipu Sultan
• Police registered cases against members of both political groups

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At least nine people, including party workers, police personnel and journalists, were injured on Sunday after supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress clashed during a protest in Pune over controversial remarks comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan.

Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police personnel and two journalists sustained minor injuries in the scuffle.

Pune, Maharashtra: Tension erupted in Pune as BJP protested outside the Congress office against Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal’s comparison of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to Tipu Sultan. The clash between BJP and Congress workers escalated to stone-pelting, damaging… pic.twitter.com/5w50a5yKK5

— IANS (@ians_india) February 15, 2026

According to police, sloganeering by workers of both parties near Congress Bhavan escalated into stone pelting, with several individuals climbing compound walls before the situation turned violent. Cases are being registered against members of both groups, officials said.

BJP workers had gathered outside the Congress office to condemn comments made by Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal, which triggered a political row across Maharashtra.

Pune city Congress chief Arvind Shinde said the party had submitted a written complaint to the police against BJP leaders, including Mayor Manjusha Nagpure and city president Dheeraj Ghate, alleging attacks on Congress workers.

The controversy began a day earlier after Sapkal cited Tipu Sultan’s call to battle the British as an example of valour comparable to Shivaji Maharaj’s idea of “Swarajya.” The remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders and right-wing groups, who termed the comparison inappropriate.

Congress leaders, however, accused the BJP of “double standards,” with Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant pointing to past instances where BJP representatives had praised or endorsed Tipu Sultan, including civic resolutions and visits to his tomb. He alleged the present criticism was aimed at political polarisation.

During the protest, two Congress workers were reportedly injured in stone throwing before police intervened to disperse the crowd and prevent further escalation. Sit-in protests were later staged by injured workers demanding action.

Meanwhile, the BJP lodged a complaint against Sapkal for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments, following which a first information report was registered at Parvati police station.

*With PTI inputs