Bombay HC seeks Maharashtra govt. reply on Malegaon Deputy Mayor's plea against removing Tipu portrait from her office
The Bombay High Court has requested a response from the Maharashtra government regarding a petition filed by a Malegaon Deputy Mayor. The petition challenges police orders to remove a portrait of Tipu Sultan from her office, citing a dispute over which historical figures are permitted in government buildings.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing tensions regarding historical representation and political symbolism in Indian local governance.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday (September 17, 2026) asked the Maharashtra government to file a reply to a petition by Deputy Mayor of Malegaon Municipal Corporation Shaan e Hind Nihal Ahmed against communications from the Maharashtra Police to remove a portrait of Tipu Sultan from her office.
A Bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna heard the petition and adjourned the matter, granting the State time to file its reply.
The petition states that Ms. Ahmed, of the Samajwadi Party, displayed portraits of several national leaders in her office, including those of Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Gandhi, Rani Laxmibai, Tipu Sultan, Subhash Chandra Bose, Fatima Shaikh, Savitribai Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Abdul Kalam Azad, Bhagat Singh, Jyotiba Phule and Shahu Maharaj.
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