Nine Injured As BJP, Congress Workers Clash In Pune Over Remarks On Tipu Sultan, Shivaji

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 19:30 IST

Cops said three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police personnel, and two journalists sustained minor injuries in the melee.

Nine people, including party workers, police personnel, and journalists, were injured on Sunday as BJP and Congress activists clashed during a protest over Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal’s remarks comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan.

Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police personnel, and two journalists sustained minor injuries in the melee.

“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," he said.

BJP workers had gathered outside Congress Bhavan to condemn Sapkal’s comments, which triggered a row across the state.

Pune city Congress chief Arvind Shinde said his party had submitted a written complaint to the police against BJP leaders, including Mayor Manjusha Nagpure and city president Dheeraj Ghate, alleging attacks on Congress workers.

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The controversy began on Saturday after Sapkal cited Tipu Sultan’s call for battle against the British as an ideal similar to Shivaji Maharaj’s idea of ‘Swarajya’ while discussing historical examples of valour. The remarks sparked outrage among BJP and right-wing groups.

Congress leaders accused the BJP of “double standards" in its criticism. Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant highlighted previous instances where BJP leaders had praised or endorsed Tipu Sultan, such as resolutions in civic bodies in Akola and Mumbai and visits by BJP leaders to Tipu Sultan’s tomb.

“The BJP is now portraying Tipu Sultan negatively as part of a strategy to polarise voters," he said.

During the protest, two Congress workers were reportedly injured when stones were hurled. Police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further, and sit-in protests were held by injured workers seeking action.

Meanwhile, the BJP lodged a complaint against Sapkal for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments, and a first information report was registered at Parvati police station.

(With inputs from PTI)

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