Tipu Sultan Portrait Sparks Row In Malegaon

Shiv Sena demands removal; Deputy Mayor refuses amid political backlash

February 14, 2026: A portrait of 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan displayed in the office of Malegaon Deputy Mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed has triggered a political controversy, with Shiv Sena corporators demanding its removal. The dispute highlights sharply divided opinions over Tipu Sultan’s legacy, with supporters hailing him for resisting the British East India Company and critics accusing him of religious intolerance. Shiv Sena group leader Nilesh Aher submitted a petition to the municipal commissioner seeking removal of the portrait, warning that protests would continue until it is taken down.

The issue escalated into heated exchanges, drawing reactions from national leaders. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the display, alleging insult to national icons such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar. He accused opposition parties of prioritising vote-bank politics over constitutional values. The controversy has reignited debates in Maharashtra over historical figures and their place in public institutions.

Defending her decision, Ahmed said the portrait was a gift from corporators and would remain in her office. She described Tipu Sultan as a freedom fighter who fought the British and cited past legal disputes over Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations, including petitions in the Bombay High Court. Ahmed, a corporator from the Samajwadi Party, became deputy mayor after an alliance under the Malegaon Secular Front secured a majority in the 84-member Malegaon Municipal Corporation. The standoff has added a new flashpoint to local politics in Maharashtra.