New Delhi: A political confrontation between workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress turned violent in Maharashtra’s Pune on Sunday, leaving at least nine people injured. The clash followed controversial remarks by Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, who drew parallels between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan. Police confirmed that stone pelting occurred during the unrest, prompting immediate intervention.
Legal action will be taken against both: Police
According to Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, those injured include three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police personnel and two journalists. Speaking to reporters, Sharma said cases would be filed against members of both parties.
“A protest was held near the Congress Bhavan, which saw sloganeering from workers of BJP and Congress. Workers of both parties climbed onto walls and there was stone pelting from both sides. Cases are being registered against workers of both sides,” Sharma said.
Protest escalates into violence
The incident took place near Congress Bhavan in Pune, where BJP workers had gathered to protest Sapkal’s recent remarks. Tensions escalated when workers from both sides engaged in sloganeering. The situation deteriorated after some individuals climbed compound walls and allegedly began pelting stones. Police had to step in to restore order and prevent further escalation.
Authorities said investigations are underway and appropriate legal action will follow.
Trigger: Remarks on Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan
The controversy began a day earlier after a portrait of Tipu Sultan was found displayed in the office of Malegaon Municipal Corporation deputy mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed. Defending the display, Sapkal compared Tipu Sultan’s struggle against the British with the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
“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 said.
BJP, Congress trade charges
The BJP strongly criticised Sapkal’s statement and filed a complaint against him. BJP’s Pune unit chief Dhiraj Ghate alleged that party workers were holding a peaceful protest when Congress workers initiated violence.
“Harshwardhan Sapkal should resign for insulting our Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj… Our Pune mayor participated in the movement and while she was leaving, the stone pelting started; Congress workers showcased Tipu Sultan’s policy… They had already prepared for this agitation and stone pelting,” Ghate told ANI.
The Congress rejected the allegations and accused the BJP of politicising the issue. Party leader Sachin Sawant said the BJP had earlier admired Tipu Sultan but was now criticising him for political gain. “What should this hypocrisy be called? Tipu Sultan used to wear a ring bearing the name of Lord Ram,” he said.