New Delhi, February 14: A fresh political storm has erupted in Maharashtra’s Malegaon after a portrait of Tipu Sultan was installed in the Deputy Mayor’s office at the Municipal Corporation. BJP national spokesperson RP Singh has sharply criticized the move, calling the honoring of historical invaders like Tipu Sultan deplorable and alarming.
In an exclusive interview, Singh lamented the trend of glorifying figures such as Tipu Sultan and Aurangzeb, whom he described as aggressors. ‘It’s unfortunate that in today’s India, such controversial personalities are still being venerated. Worshipping invaders in public spaces is deeply concerning,’ he stated.
Singh emphasized that public officials swear oaths to the Constitution and must be mindful of the symbols they display. ‘These actions create unnecessary divisions in society,’ he added, urging leaders to prioritize national unity over divisive iconography.
Shifting focus to government initiatives, Singh praised the relocation of the Prime Minister’s Office to ‘Seva Tirth’ and ‘Kartavya Bhavan’. He contrasted these modern facilities with colonial-era structures like North Block and South Block. ‘While some get emotional over British legacies, we’re now building spaces for 1.4 billion Indians. This is a bold step towards decolonizing governance,’ he said.
The decision, approved in the Cabinet’s final meeting at South Block on February 13, signals a new era. Equipped with cutting-edge digital integration and coordination systems, Seva Tirth aims to drive policy-making aligned with India’s progress. ‘Better late than never,’ Singh quipped, hailing it as a welcome post-independence reform.
This development underscores the government’s commitment to shedding colonial symbols and embracing indigenous administrative ethos, fostering efficient service delivery to the masses.