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After Sapkal’s assertion evaluating Tipu Sultan with Shivaji, leaders of the BJP in Ahilyanagar introduced a Rs 10 lakh reward for anybody who would minimize off his tongue.
Harshwardhan Sapkal Booked Over Tipu–Shivaji Comment; BJP Leaders Announce Rs 10 Lakh Reward
Harshwardhan Sapkal, the Maharashtra Congress chief, has been booked by Pune police after he described Tipu Sultan as a “image of bravery” similar to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The case was registered following a criticism by metropolis BJP chief Dhiraj Ghate, who alleged that Sapkal’s remarks have been provocative and harm spiritual sentiments.
The criticism pertains to Sapkal’s feedback about similarities between Shivaji and Tipu Sultan.
Rs 10 lakh reward for reducing tongue
After Sapkal’s assertion evaluating Tipu Sultan with Shivaji, leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Celebration in Ahilyanagar introduced a Rs 10 lakh reward for anybody who would minimize off his tongue.
The announcement was made throughout a protest held in entrance of the Shivaji memorial, the place BJP staff alleged that Sapkal’s remarks have been objectionable.
Celebration staff staged a ‘shoe protest’ towards Sapkal and raised slogans on the website.
The assertion has triggered sharp political reactions and elevated tensions within the area.
What Sapkal mentioned?
Sapkal mentioned journalists had requested him whether or not images of all nice leaders must be displayed collectively in places of work, and the way he seen the demand that the images of Shivaji and Tipu Sultan must be positioned facet by facet.
Whereas replying, he mentioned, “Fadnavis’ outdated behavior of twisting phrases turning ‘dha’ into ‘ma’ has resurfaced, and he has discovered a possibility to create a Hindu-Muslim controversy.”
Sapkal had made his remarks on Saturday whereas chatting with reporters a couple of controversy over a portrait of Tipu Sultan displayed within the workplace of the Malegaon municipal company’s deputy mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed, who’s Muslim.
The portrait of Tipu Sultan, identified for combating British colonialists, is being opposed by the Shiv Sena and different teams.
Sapkal mentioned in Marathi that Tipu had adopted Shivaji’s beliefs.
“The sort of bravery that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj possessed and the idea of ‘swarajya’ (self-rule) that he launched… a lot later, following in that very custom and taking inspiration from his beliefs, Tipu Sultan waged battle towards the British,” he mentioned.
“In that sense, Tipu Sultan was an incredible warrior who displayed immense bravery and was a real son of India. He by no means allowed any toxic or communal concepts to sway him. As an emblem of bravery, we should always view Tipu Sultan as equal to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he added.
What we all know concerning the criticism?
In accordance with ANI, the criticism mentioned Sapkal’s remarks “harm the feelings of Hindus”, apparently as a result of Tipu was a Muslim and Shivaji a Hindu, and will disturb communal concord.
Ghate mentioned the remarks harm the feelings of Hindus “who imagine and contemplate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as God”.
“I don’t perceive what level Harshwardhan Sapkal needs to show by making such a press release, which hurts sentiments,” he mentioned.
The case has been registered below sections 192, 196(1), 196(2), 352 and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police mentioned additional investigation is underway.
Maharashtra, India, India
February 15, 2026, 12:52 IST
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