PUNE, Feb. 16 -- Violence broke out outside the Congress Bhavan in Pune on Sunday after BJP workers protested against a controversial remark by Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal, triggering clashes between supporters of the two parties, leaving nine people injured. Reacting sharply to the BJP's protest and the ensuing violence, Sapkal accused the ruling party of twisting his words to divert attention from pressing national and state issues. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our deity, our pride, and our honour. His valour is unparalleled. We do not need the BJP to teach us about Shivaji Maharaj," Sapkal said. "BJP has distorted my statement and is trying to incite riots in the state. This was evident today in Pune." The controversy stems from Sapkal's comments during a media interaction in Wardha, where he was asked about a debate over the display of a portrait of Tipu Sultan in Malegaon. While responding, Sapkal said the Mysore ruler should be viewed as a symbol of bravery, drawing a comparison, that BJP leaders claimed, equated Tipu Sultan with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is deeply revered across Maharashtra. Clarifying his stand, Sapkal said, "Journalists asked whether photographs of all great leaders should be displayed together and whether portraits of Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan should be placed alongside each other. I responded in that context. But Devendra Fadnavis has once again twisted my words and tried to give them a Hindu-Muslim colour." Following the remarks, BJP workers led by BJP Pune chief Dheeraj Ghate and Pune mayor Manjusha Nagpure organised a protest march to the Congress Bhavan on Sunday morning. As slogans were raised and tempers flared, supporters of the BJP and the Congress came face to face outside the party office. The situation spiralled out of control within minutes, with stone-pelting and bottle-throwing reported from both sides. "Today, a protest demonstration was held in front of the Congress Bhavan at Shivajinagar to strongly condemn the absurd and insensitive statement. The sentiments of entire Maharashtra towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are unbreakable. The message was firmly conveyed on this occasion that any insult to their glorious history and unparalleled work of establishing Swarajya will not be tolerated in any circumstances," Nagpure said after the protest turned violent. Sharma confirmed that three Congress party workers were injured in the violence while several vehicles parked near the Congress Bhavan were damaged, with shattered windows and visible dents. Police rushed additional forces to the spot and readied for a baton charge to disperse the crowd. A heavy police presence continues in the area to prevent further escalation. "The situation is currently calm and under control. Necessary action will be taken," said Krushikesh Rawale, deputy commissioner of police (Zone 1). He added that three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police constables, and two journalists were injured in the stone pelting. Senior Congress leader Mohan Joshi alleged that the attack was pre-planned and took place with police inaction. "BJP workers, along with their city leadership, attacked the Congress office. This could not have happened without police support. They should have been stopped near Balgandharva Rangmandir," he said. Congress Pune chief Arvind Shinde claimed this was the third such attack on Congress offices since the BJP came to power. "Despite informing the police earlier, our workers were threatened instead of being protected. Today it was our office, tomorrow it could be our homes," he said. Following the violence, Congress leaders and workers staged a protest at Faraskhana police station, demanding strict action against BJP leaders and workers involved in the clash. Police officers later assured them that appropriate legal steps would be taken. An FIR has already been registered against Sapkal at Parvati police station based on a complaint filed by the BJP's Pune city unit president. The case has been filed under sections of the BNS, related to provocation, promoting enmity, insulting religious sentiments with intent to breach peace, and defamation. BJP corporator Kunal Tilak alleged that Congress workers initiated the violence....