In Mumbai, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has accused the BJP of creating a controversy by comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan, in an attempt to shift public attention away from key issues.
On Monday, the Congress leader faced criticism from the Shiv Sena (UBT), which condemned the comparison between the former ruler of Mysuru and the founder of the Maratha empire.
VHP national organizational secretary Milind Parande expressed surprise at Sapkal's remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
However, Sapkal remained defiant, stating that he would not back down despite threats from some BJP leaders who have offered a reward to anyone who would silence him for criticizing the saffron party.
"I am prepared to face the consequences if such extreme measures could protect Indian farmers from imports, cancel the unfair trade agreement with the US, ensure better prices for agricultural products, and prevent communal polarization," he added.
The controversy began with a portrait of 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan displayed in the office of Malegaon Municipal Corporation deputy mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed, which Shiv Sena corporators and Hindu organizations opposed.
While highlighting the bravery of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his concept of "Swarajya," Sapkal drew a parallel between Tipu Sultan's call for battle against the British and this ideal.
Tipu Sultan remains a controversial figure in history, with some citing his bravery in battles against the British, while right-wing groups criticize him for his alleged religious intolerance and mistreatment of Hindus.
The alleged comparison led to the registration of an FIR against Sapkal in Pune and a strong rebuke from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who stated that the state would not tolerate any disrespect towards Shivaji Maharaj.
"BJP leaders had announced a reward for anyone who would silence me for criticizing the party. If exposing the BJP leads to such threats, I will still speak the truth," Sapkal told reporters.
He alleged that the BJP is working in the interests of large corporate groups and attempting to change the Constitution.
Referring to the controversy, Sapkal reiterated that the BJP is distorting his remarks to create unrest in Maharashtra and to divert public attention from pressing issues, including the distress of farmers and governance challenges in the state.
"I did not make any objectionable statements. The glory of the Maratha king should continue to grow," he said.
Sapkal's remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who enjoys a near-reverential status in Maharashtra, led to a clash between BJP and Congress activists in Pune on Sunday, resulting in the registration of cross FIRs.
During the confrontation between BJP workers and Congress activists near Congress Bhavan, stones were thrown, leaving nine people injured, including workers from rival parties, two police personnel, and two journalists, according to police.
A case has been registered against BJP's Pune unit president Dheeraj Ghate, its local youth wing chief Dushyant Mohol, and 50 to 60 other party workers. Congress city head Arvind Shinde, two other local leaders, and some unidentified party members have also been booked under various sections of the BNS, according to police.
Aware of public sentiment regarding the Maratha king, the Sena (UBT) in its mouthpiece, Saamana, stated, "It is condemnable to compare Tipu Sultan with Chhatrapati Shivaji."
Sapkal's remarks have provided the BJP with an opportunity to give a communal color to the controversy, the editorial further claimed.
Tipu Sultan is considered a hero in Pakistan, but the Bharatiya Janata Party does not find it objectionable to allow an India-Pakistan cricket match, the editorial further claimed.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) stated that the BJP has honored Tipu Sultan several times in the past. It claimed that the ruling party had even proposed to name a road after the Mysuru ruler.
Reacting sharply, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that some individuals are attempting to play vote bank politics and divide society.
"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the deity of Maharashtra, and we work according to his principles. I condemn those who are trying to equate Chhatrapati Shivaji and Tipu Sultan," he told reporters.
Amid the controversy, Sapkal maintained that his earlier statement was about Tipu Sultan following the Swarajya ideal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his fight against the British.
On Sunday, he alleged that the (BJP) wanted to divert attention from basic issues of Maharashtra and from the Epstein files, in which a lot is hidden.
"Bringing caste and religion into every matter is the BJP's old tactic. They are using my responsible statement and giving it a Hindu-Muslim angle," he added.