Tipu Sultan Row: Pune Clashes as Sapkal Accuses BJP of Diversion
Tipu Sultan Row: Pune Clashes as Sapkal Accuses BJP of Diversion
Maharashtra Congress chief Sapkal says BJP is using Tipu Sultan to divert from Epstein files as clashes erupt in Pune with stone-pelting and FIRs.
In the latest flare-up of Maharashtra's Tipu Sultan row, Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said the BJP was trying to divert attention from basic issues and from the Epstein files with remarks about Tipu Sultan. Sapkal added that he had already clarified his stance and accused the BJP of deliberate mischief, stressing that they do not need lessons about Shivaji Maharaj from the ruling party. He lauded Shivaji as the founder of Hindavi Swarajya, calling him the pride and inspiration of Maharashtra, whose valour influenced the idea of sovereignty that underpins the Constitution. Sapkal argued that bringing caste and religion into every matter is an old BJP tactic and insisted the discussion should remain on merit rather than on Hindu-Muslim framing. He also claimed the BJP has been burning Tipu Sultan’s effigy across the state in protests to whip up tensions.
The row has spilled from words into street action, with protests and counter-protests surrounding Shivaji and Tipu, and allegations of misrepresentation during the ongoing controversy. The opposition accuses the ruling party of trying to polarize voters, while the Congress maintains its stance on historical figures and constitutional values without sidelining core governance concerns.
In Pune, tension boiled over outside the Congress Bhavan as clashes erupted between BJP and Congress supporters. Reports indicate that stone pelting left several people injured; authorities described a chaotic scene with both sides involved. Officials said they would file cases against participants from both camps as the city struggled to restore calm. At least nine people were reported injured in the violence linked to the exchange, highlighting how quickly political rhetoric can turn into street-level confrontations.
Separately, authorities announced an FIR against Sapkal in connection with the remarks, escalating the political clash in Pune and Mumbai where parties have been trading accusatory barbs and symbolic protests, including effigy burnings and other demonstrations. The unfolding events underscore the ongoing struggle over how Indian history and contemporary politics intersect, as rivals sharpen their messaging ahead of upcoming political narratives. The broader dispute over Tipu Sultan, Shivaji, and associated issues remains a focal point in Maharashtra’s partisan landscape, with security forces trying to prevent further clashes while lawmakers press their differing interpretations of history and governance.
