Tipu Sultan's Comparison To Chhatrapati Shivaji Irks BJP, Maharashtra Congress Chief Booked; Here's Why

Maharashtra: A massive row erupted in Maharashtra after state Congress chief Harshawardhan Sapkal on Saturday compared Tipu Sultan with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In his statement, Sapkal claimed that both historical figures were brave and should be seen in the same league. The BJP has strongly slammed Sapkal for "insulting" Shivaji, further describing his statement as "appeasement of the worst kind". Apart from this, a case was also lodged against him in Pune, following a complaint by the city BJP chief, Dhiraj Ghate. However, the Congress leader clarified that even our constitution has images of Tipu Sultan, who fought against the British.

How Did The Row Begin?

The row began after an image of Tipu Sultan was seen in the chamber of Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed, Deputy Mayor of Malegaon. The Shiv Sena leaders protested in her chamber against the presence of the portrait; however, she later clarified that the portrait was gifted by the corporators. The row escalated after Sapkal asserted that Sultan was a freedom fighter, further comparing him to Shivaji.

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While reacting to his remarks, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed the Congress leader for "insulting" Shivaji and sought an apology. "We condemn this statement. He should be ashamed of comparing Tipu Sultan with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He should apologise. We will not tolerate it. Congress should take cognisance of it, if it has even an ounce of morality left in it. The Congress’s allies should take note of it, too," Fadnavis said in Nagpur.

Sapkal's Clarification

Sapkal, in his response, shared an image of Shivaji and Tipu Sultan and asserted that the constitution has the portraits of both the historic figures. "These are portraits of both Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan from the original copy of the Constitution," Sapkal said in his post.

"It was by taking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as his ideal that he fought against the British. At the time when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan were fighting against foreigners, the people who came from the ideology of the Sangh, BJP, like Devendra Fadnavis, were engaging in servitude and espionage for the British," he added.

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Apart from this, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi supported Sapkal by saying that Sultan fought against the British. "Tipu did not write love letters to the British, begging for forgiveness and promising to do whatever they said. Tipu took up his sword and became a martyr in the fight to liberate his country from the British," Owaisi asserted.

Tipu Sultan-Controversial Figure

Tipu Sultan was the ruler of Mysore in the 18th century who is known for using modern weapons to fight against the British. However, several people criticise him for bigotry and atrocities against Hindus.