The controversy over Tipu Sultan’s portrait in the office of Malegaon Municipal Corporation’s deputy mayor continues to escalate, with a Congress leader accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of pursuing a polarising agenda.
Congress leader Sachin Sawant alleged that BJP leaders had previously supported or endorsed references to the 18th-century Mysuru ruler in public spaces and official forums.
The row began on Saturday after Shiv Sena and several Hindu outfits protested against the portrait displayed in Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed’s office. As the controversy raged in, Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal weighed in, comparing Tipu Sultan’s fight against the British to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's vision of 'Swarajya'.
His comments further fueled the uproar, prompting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to criticise Sapkal, saying he should feel ashamed for his remarks.
On Sunday, Sachin Sawant joined the debate, accusing the BJP of "double standards" and citing several instances where BJP leaders had allegedly praised or associated with Tipu Sultan. He claimed, "What should this hypocrisy be called? Tipu Sultan used to wear a ring bearing the name of Lord Ram."
Sawant also pointed to past instances of BJP support for Tipu Sultan. He noted that in 2012, the BJP passed a resolution in the Akola Municipal Corporation to name the standing committee hall 'Shaheed-e-Watan Sher-e-Mysore Tipu Sultan.' Additionally, in 2013, BJP corporators supported a proposal to name a road in Mumbai’s M-East ward as 'Shaheed Tipu Sultan Marg.'
Sawant further cited BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's visit to Tipu Sultan’s tomb, where he wrote words of praise in the visitors' book. He also referenced a 2017 speech by then-President Ram Nath Kovind, in which he praised Tipu Sultan in the Karnataka assembly.