The Mumbai Police on Thursday, 27 January, took into custody some Bajrang Dal members who were protesting against the 'renaming' of a Malad sports complex after 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.
The protests broke out after Mumbai Guardian Minister and local Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh on Wednesday inaugurated a sports complex at a refurbished ground in Malvani, Malad West, his Assembly constituency.
The Bajrang Dal claimed that the facility was being 'renamed' after Tipu Sultan and opposed the move.
The Maharashtra BJP has also been protesting against the alleged renaming, even as the Shiv Sena has actively denied any such change.
Two FIRs have been registered at the Malvani police station for unlawful assembly, rioting, and violation of COVID-19 guidelines against 64 people from the Bajrang Dal and the BJP, The Indian Express reported. Those booked include BJP MP Gopal Shetty and Mumbai BJP President Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
What Is the Controversy?
Leaders of the BJP in Maharashtra have been protesting against the state government's alleged renaming of a newly-renovated sports complex at Malad after Tipu Sultan.
"The culmination of shamelessness for power... The naming of sports complex at Malad after Tipu Sultan under police protection, and BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal activists were agitating for not giving the name of Tipu Sultan," BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis tweeted in Marathi.
"Today, we are fighting against those who are named after Tipu. We will not tolerate Hindu traitors. We are not afraid of police action. This is not Shiv Sena but Tipu Sena," BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said, sharing a video of protesters being detained by the police and being taken into a bus.
However, Congress MLA Shaikh has maintained that the venue had carried Tipu Sultan's name previously as well.
“The garden is named thus (after Tipu Sultan) for the last 15 years, but nobody objected to it till now. I even know a BJP MLA who is pushing for repairs of a road in the area which is named after Tipu. He conveniently keeps mum over it as he wants votes,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.
Further, Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray said that no formal proposals for renaming of the venue had been submitted before the Mumbai civic body.
"No formal proposals have been discussed on this issue. Once there is a formal proposal the BMC will decide on the issue," he told reporters.
'Prez Kovind Praised Tipu Sultan, Will You Ask for His Resignation?': Sanjay Raut to BJP
"President Kovind went to Karnataka and praised Tipu Sultan that he was a historical warrior, freedom fighter. So, will you ask for the President's resignation too? BJP should clarify this. This is drama," Raut was quoted as saying by ANI, alluding to the controversy over the name of the Malad sports complex.
"If they say it has been named after Tipu and that they will do this and that then they should let it be, saying all this doesn't suit them. State government is capable of making decisions. Don't write a new history. You can continue trying to change history in Delhi but you won't succeed," he further stated.
(With inputs from India Today, ANI, and The Indian Express)
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