Tipu Sultan Portrait Sparks Fresh Political Row In Malegaon
Minister of State Yogesh Kadam categorized it as an attempt at ‘vote-bank politics’ designed to stoke communal tensions. “There are certain political leaders who only want to satisfy their voters.
Mumbai: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Malegaon town in Maharashtra after a portrait of 18th-century ruler Tipu Sultan was displayed again in the newly renovated office chamber of Deputy Mayor Shan-e-Hind. Objecting strongly to the move, Hindutva organizations have demanded the removal of the portrait.
Following recent renovation work on her official cabin, Shan-e-Hind of the Samajwadi Party reinstalled Tipu Sultan’s portrait alongside images of iconic national figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
The move has once again drawn objections from the BJP and the state government. Maharashtra minister Dadaji Bhuse criticised the decision, saying, “Putting up a portrait of Tipu Sultan is wrong. I will ask the Deputy Mayor to have that portrait removed.”
Minister of State Yogesh Kadam categorized it as an attempt at ‘vote-bank politics’ designed to stoke communal tensions. “There are certain political leaders who only want to satisfy their voters. Just for vote-bank politics, they try to create Hindu-Muslim tension or attempt to influence them. We will not encourage such thinking and will definitely take strict action against them,” he said.
A BJP delegation met with Malegaon’s Additional Superintendent of Police to file a formal complaint, asserting that Tipu Sultan is not on the government’s official list of historically recognized national heroes. They warned of large-scale street agitations if the administration fails to remove the portrait immediately, citing threats to local law and order.
A similar controversy had erupted in February 2026 when Tipu Sultan’s portrait was displayed in the Deputy Mayor’s office after Shan-e-Hind took charge. Following the opposition from the BJP and Shiv Sena, the portrait was removed from the office. However, Shan-e-Hind had maintained that Tipu Sultan was a historical figure who had sacrificed his life for the country and that displaying his portrait was within her rights. She had also indicated that the portrait could be put up again.