Congress Leader Accuses BJP of Deliberately Distorting Historical Remarks
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has launched a scathing attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of intentionally twisting his remarks concerning Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan to inflame communal tensions and divert public attention from pressing national and state issues.
Allegations of Engineered Riots and Political Diversion
Speaking to reporters in Wardha on Sunday, Sapkal asserted that his original statement was maliciously distorted to engineer riots within the state, citing the recent violence in Pune as evidence. "My statement was twisted to engineer riots in the state. The evidence of that was seen in Pune today," he stated, responding to the escalating political controversy.
The MPCC chief alleged that the BJP is attempting to give a Hindu-Muslim colour to his comments while deliberately ignoring substantive concerns. He specifically mentioned ongoing international trade negotiations and references to the "Epstein files" that allegedly involve BJP leaders as issues being overshadowed by this manufactured controversy.
Clarification on Historical Portraits Context
Sapkal clarified that his original response was to a question regarding whether portraits of historical figures, including Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan, should be displayed together in offices amid rising political exploitation of iconic personalities. "Mahapurush are being used for politics and hatred is being spread. I was answering a question in that context," he explained.
He further accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of selectively amplifying his statement for political gain. "When I compared Fadnavis to Ghazni, he had said he did not know who I was. But now he is vehemently taking my name," Sapkal remarked, adding that introducing caste and religion into every issue represents the BJP's "old formula."
Condemnation of Pune Violence and Demand for Action
The Congress leader provided detailed allegations of violence in Pune, claiming that BJP workers attacked the Congress office, pelted stones, and assaulted women party workers and journalists in the presence of police. "This hooliganism is strongly condemned," he declared, demanding immediate criminal cases and arrests against those he named as instigators of the violence.
Questioning BJP's Consistency on Historical Figures
Sapkal also questioned the BJP's apparent inconsistency regarding Tipu Sultan, asking how the party could use Tipu's photographs on banners during recent municipal elections and ally with the AIMIM in 21 locations, including Amravati and Chandrapur. "Does that become acceptable then?" he challenged.
Furthermore, he referenced past remarks by noted freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and former Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari about Shivaji Maharaj, questioning whether the BJP would launch similar protests against these figures. "Will they burn their effigies as well?" he asked pointedly.
The controversy highlights ongoing political tensions in Maharashtra, with historical figures becoming focal points in contemporary political discourse. Sapkal's allegations suggest a calculated strategy by the BJP to manipulate public sentiment through historical references while avoiding substantive policy discussions on critical issues facing the state and nation.
