Maharashtra Cong chief sparks row by linking Tipu Sultan with Shivaji
Maharashtra Cong chief sparks row by linking Tipu Sultan with Shivaji
Congress leader Sapkal equates Tipu Sultan with Shivaji Maharaj; BJP condemns as appeasement as debate explodes over a Tipu portrait in Malegaon.
A political row in Maharashtra intensified on Saturday after Congress state chief Harshawardhan Sapkal said Tipu Sultan and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should be seen in the same league. He asserted that both historic figures belonged in the same tier, a remark that drew sharp criticism from the BJP and was described by the state’s chief minister as deplorable. The clash underscores how historical narratives have become a live political issue in the state.
The flare-up began over an image of Tipu Sultan in the Deputy Mayor of Malegaon’s chamber, which the office said had been gifted by the corporators. The portrait prompted protests from Shiv Sena, which condemned the display and questioned its presence in civic premises. The incident quickly spiraled into a broader debate about how history should be used in contemporary politics.
Sapkal doubled down on his stance in a social media post, sharing images of Tipu Sultan and Shivaji Maharaj and arguing they were “portraits of both” from what he described as the original copy of the Constitution. He contended that Shivaji Maharaj’s valour is unparalleled and that Tipu Sultan was a valiant leader who fought for self-rule. He also took aim at the BJP and RSS, saying that leaders from those groups were practicing servitude and espionage for the British while presenting themselves as history teachers.
In Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed Sapkal’s remarks as the “worst kind” of appeasement and called for accountability, stating the Congress should apologise. The remarks also drew a complaint from Pune’s BJP chief, who said Sapkal’s comments hurt Hindu sentiments and threatened to escalate the matter legally. The episode highlights how historical figures can become flashpoints in Maharashtra’s crowded political landscape, with allies and rivals trading barbs over legacy and national identity.
