Tipu Sultan becomes latest flashpoint in Maharashtra politics, BJP & Congress trade barbs

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said he has already clarified his earlier statement, alleging that the BJP wants to play mischief. (ANI)

• Tipu Sultan portrait sparks political row in Maharashtra
• Congress leader Sapkal's remarks trigger BJP backlash
• Violent protests erupt in Pune, injuries and damage reported

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As it is so often in electoral politics -- wrongful mention or appropriation of personalities has often presented a rare opportunity for one party to attack the other. Maharashtra politics is no stranger to such 'political flashpoints'.

After Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was in middle of a raging debate in state politics, Tipu Sultan, the 18th century ruler of Mysuru has become the focal point of a high voltage political battle in Maharashtra. What began as the display of his portrait in the office of Malegaon’s deputy mayor has snowballed into a statewide confrontation, drawing in Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a police case against Congress state president.

What did did Sapkal say?

During an interaction wit the press in Wardha, Sapkal was asked about a debate over the display of a portrait of Tipu Sultan in Malegaon. In response, he stated that the Mysuru ruler should be viewed as a symbol of bravery, drawing a comparison. He said that Tipu had actually followed Shivaji's ideals.

"The kind of bravery that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj possessed and the concept of 'swarajya' (self-rule) that he introduced... much later, following in that very tradition and taking inspiration from his ideals, Tipu Sultan waged war against the British," Sapkal had said. "In that sense, Tipu Sultan was a great warrior who displayed immense bravery and was a true son of India. He never allowed any poisonous or communal ideas to sway him. As a symbol of bravery, we should view Tipu Sultan as equivalent to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," he had added.

How did BJP react?

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed Sapkal for his remarks equating Tipu Sultan and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, stating that the comparison was condemnable.

Fadnavis said that Sapkal must feel ashamed of himself, asserting that Maharashtra "will not tolerate" such remarks. "Sapkal should apologise for comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan. The Congress should take cognisance of this matter, and its allies must clear their stand on Sapkal's statement," the CM told reporters in Nagpur.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala also condemned Sapkal's remarks, accusing the Congress of stooping to the "lowest level in vote bank politics" for comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji with Tipu Sultan.

Pune rocked by violent protests

Sapkal's remarks did not just stir a political controversy but also triggered violent protests near the Congress Bhavan in Pune. BJP workers confronted Congress workers while protesting against Sapkal's statements, with the Opposition alleging stone pelting during the demonstrations. In the agitation, two Congress workers were injured, with one of them suffering a serious head injury. A police personnel was also wounded during the stone pelting. Additionally, several vehicles parked near the Bhavan were also damaged.

When Aurangzeb was in middle of a raging debate in state politics

Last year in Maharashtra, Aurangzeb had returned as a source of intense debate after Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi recently stirred controversy by praising the Mughal emperor. Azmi’s comments on Aurangzeb’s temple-building efforts and governance sparked fierce backlash, with Mahayuti leaders accusing him of disrespecting two of Maharashtra’s most revered figures, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Azmi was subsequently suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for the ongoing Budget Session.