Portrait of Tipu Sultan in Malegaon office sparks political storm

NEW DELHI: A political row has broken out in Maharashtra’s Malegaon after a portrait of 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan was displayed in the office of Deputy Mayor Shaan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed, drawing sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party and protests by Shiv Sena supporters.

The controversy escalated when BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the deputy mayor on social media, alleging that featuring Tipu Sultan’s portrait while not displaying images of national leaders amounted to disrespect toward India’s icons. He said the absence of figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was a “huge insult” to the country’s heroes.

Poonawalla also remarked that the Constitution, drafted under the leadership of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, had enabled her to hold public office, questioning her respect for constitutional values. He further accused the AIMIM and other opposition parties of engaging in vote-bank politics and attempting to “paint Maharashtra green,” claiming that such priorities undermined the spirit of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena supporters led by local leader Nilesh Aher staged a protest and submitted a memorandum to the municipal commissioner demanding that the portrait be removed. Aher said the party would continue its agitation until the image was taken down. The protest led to heated exchanges between party workers and the deputy mayor.

Responding to the criticism, Ahmed defended the display and questioned why the matter was being politicised. She said the portrait had been installed in her office and could be temporarily removed for maintenance if necessary, but would be put back in line with her views. She also referred to past legal disputes over Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations in the Bombay High Court, noting that permissions had at times been denied.

Defending the historical figure, Ahmed described Tipu Sultan as a freedom fighter who resisted the East India Company, adding that even Britain had acknowledged his struggle against colonial rule.