Malegaon, February 14: Deputy Mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed has confirmed that the portrait of 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan will remain in her office, despite growing objections from opposition quarters. Speaking on Saturday, Shan-e-Hind defended the move as an expression of her "socialist ideology," asserting that the local administration has the right to display images of historical figures who represent their values. The controversy surfaced following demands for the portrait's removal. However, Ahmed clarified that while the image is currently not on the wall, its absence is only temporary. The portrait was moved to accommodate ongoing office renovations and repairs.

"It is our right to decide which photos are displayed in our office," Shan-e-Hind told ANI. "We are people of socialist ideology; therefore, we will display photos of the great personalities who represent our ideals. Once the renovation is complete, that photo will be reinstalled." The Deputy Mayor also addressed criticisms regarding the absence of other mandatory portraits of national icons. While acknowledging that the image of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, should ideally be the first to be displayed, she shifted the accountability to the Municipal Administration. Malegaon Mayor Election 2026: ISLAM Party Emerges Single Largest Force, Nasreen Khalid Shaikh Elected Mayor, Samajwadi Party’s Shan-E-Hind Nihal Ahmed Becomes Deputy Mayor.

"The responsibility of installing photos of other great personalities lies with the Municipal Administration," Shan-e-Hind stated. She urged critics to question why the administration had not yet provided or installed official portraits of other national leaders. Tipu Sultan remains one of the most polarizing figures in Indian history. Known as the "Tiger of Mysore," he is celebrated by many for his fierce resistance against British colonial expansion during the four Anglo-Mysore Wars. Malegaon Municipal Corporation Lift Collapse: Major Accident Averted After Mayoral Election Results, Leaders and Media Personnel Escape Unhurt (Watch Video).

‘Tipu Sultan Is the Freedom Fighter of India’

However, his legacy is frequently a point of political contention. Critics often point to historical accounts of his treatment of certain communities in South India, leading to recurring debates over his commemoration in public offices and state functions. In Malegaon, this latest development follows a pattern of ideological tug-of-war over historical representation in government spaces.

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