BJP Protest Over Sapkal’s Remarks Turns Violent; Injuries Reported, Police Register Cross Cases
Shivajinagar, 15th February 2026: Tensions flared outside Congress Bhavan in Pune on Sunday as workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest against Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal over his alleged remarks comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan. The demonstration led to heated sloganeering between BJP and Congress workers, with the Congress alleging stone pelting by BJP supporters.
The protest was organised by the BJP in response to Sapkal’s statement amid an ongoing controversy over a portrait of Tipu Sultan in the Deputy Mayor’s office at the Malegaon Municipal Corporation. BJP leaders said the remarks hurt public sentiments and demanded an apology.
As BJP workers gathered outside Congress Bhavan, Congress supporters also assembled at the site, leading to face-to-face sloganeering between the two groups. A heavy police bandobast was deployed in the area to prevent escalation.
During the confrontation, Congress workers alleged that BJP supporters resorted to stone pelting at the Congress Bhavan premises. According to Congress leaders, some party workers sustained minor injuries and a few vehicles parked nearby were damaged. The BJP has not issued an immediate response to the allegations.
Following the incident, Congress workers assembled at Faraskhana Police Station and demanded that a case be registered against BJP city president Dhiraj Ghate. They called for strict action against those allegedly involved in the violence.
Police officials are assessing the situation and further investigation is underway.
Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said that a few party workers from BJP and Congress sustained minor injuries alongwith two police personnel and two journalists (Shagufta Shaikh from Lokmat Online and Chandrashekhar Bhange from Lokshahi news channel). Cross-FIRs are being registered in the incident.
