New Delhi: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal will Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan.Speaking to reporters, Sapkar spoke about the controversy surrounding the display of Tipu Sultan’s portrait in the office of Deputy Mayor of Malegaon Municipal Corporation Shan E Hind Nihal Ahmed, which was opposed by the Shiv Sena and other groups. Sapkar said in Marathi that the Mysore rulers followed the ideals of Shivaji Maharaj.Sapkar said: “The courage possessed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the concept of ‘Swarajya’ (self-government) introduced by him… Much later, Tipu Sultan followed this tradition and drew inspiration from his ideals and waged war against the British.”“In this sense, Tipu Sultan was a great warrior, displayed immense bravery and was a true son of India. He never let any toxic or communal ideas influence him. As a symbol of bravery, we should consider Tipu Sultan on par with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he added.bjp Subsequently, the police booked Sapkal under Sections 192, 196(1), 196(2), 352 and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.The complaint alleged that Sapkar’s remarks hurt the sentiments of Hindus and followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and had the potential to disturb communal harmony.chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also weighed in on the issue and said the comparison was reprehensible and claimed the Congress leader must be ashamed of himself.Meanwhile, Congress leader Sachin Sawant accused the BJP of practicing “double standards” and pursuing a polarizing agenda after Sapkar was criticized for “equating” Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan.Citing multiple instances in a statement, a Congress spokesperson claimed that BJP leaders had previously supported or endorsed references to Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century Mysore ruler, in public spaces and official forums.He cited Akola and Mumbai civic body resolutions, as well as past instances of BJP leaders allegedly praising or associating themselves with the historical figure, arguing that the party’s current opposition is politically motivated.The BJP had earlier admired Tipu Sultan but now calls him detrimental to its polarizing agenda. “What should be called this hypocrisy? Tipu Sultan once wore a ring with Lord Ram’s name engraved on it,” Sawant claimed.The Congress leader also accused the ruling party of engaging in “twisted religious politics” and trying to polarize voters, while reiterating the party’s criticism of the BJP’s stand on the issue.
