Violence flared outside Congress Bhavan in Pune on Sunday after workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party staged a protest against a controversial remark attributed to Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal, leading to scuffles between rival supporters and injuries to at least two Congress members.Police moved swiftly to disperse crowds that gathered near the party office in the Deccan area, deploying additional personnel to prevent escalation. Officers said a group of BJP activists assembled to condemn comments made by Sapkal during a political event, alleging the statement was offensive and inflammatory. Congress workers present at the premises confronted the protesters, and heated exchanges soon turned into physical clashes.
Officials confirmed that at least two Congress workers sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their condition was described as stable. No fatalities were reported. Several protesters from both sides were briefly detained for questioning, and cases have been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to unlawful assembly and rioting.
Senior police officers remained stationed at the site through the evening as a precautionary measure. Barricades were erected to prevent further gatherings, and security was tightened around key political offices in the city. Authorities appealed for calm and urged political leaders to refrain from provocative statements.
Sapkal, who assumed charge as Maharashtra Congress president earlier this year as part of an organisational reshuffle ahead of the state Assembly election cycle, rejected allegations that his remarks were intended to offend. In a statement, he accused the BJP of attempting to manufacture outrage for political gain and said the protest was “pre-planned to create unrest”. He urged party workers to maintain restraint.
Leaders from the state unit of the BJP defended the demonstration, stating that their workers had gathered to register democratic dissent. They alleged that Congress supporters initiated the physical confrontation. “Our protest was peaceful. It was the other side that turned it violent,” a senior BJP functionary in Pune said.
The incident comes amid heightened political activity in Maharashtra, where both parties are recalibrating strategies following the Lok Sabha election results and ahead of the next state contest. The Congress, part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, has been seeking to regain organisational strength in urban centres such as Pune, a city with a large middle-class electorate and a history of competitive contests between the BJP and Congress.
Political analysts note that public confrontations between party workers have become more frequent across several states during periods of intense campaigning. Maharashtra has witnessed episodic tensions in the past, particularly during election seasons when rival cadres mobilise aggressively. However, senior leaders across parties have often intervened to contain escalation.
Law and order has remained a focal point of political debate in the state. The opposition has repeatedly criticised the handling of public protests and alleged selective policing, while the ruling establishment has maintained that it acts impartially to preserve peace. Sunday’s clash is likely to feed into this broader narrative as both sides trade accusations.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said an inquiry would examine CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts to determine responsibility. “We will take action against anyone found to have violated the law, irrespective of political affiliation,” he said, adding that preventive measures would continue over the next few days.
The Congress Bhavan in Pune has historically served as a hub for party activities, including strategy meetings and public outreach programmes. Party offices across Maharashtra have increasingly become focal points for demonstrations, reflecting the intensity of grassroots mobilisation.
Observers say the episode underscores the challenges faced by state leaders in balancing sharp political rhetoric with the need to maintain civil discourse. As campaigning intensifies and alliances shift, statements made at rallies or press briefings are often amplified through social media, sometimes fuelling swift mobilisation by rival groups.
Civic leaders in Pune expressed concern that such clashes disrupt public life and strain police resources. Traders in the area reported temporary closure of shops as a precaution. Traffic was diverted for several hours, causing congestion in adjoining neighbourhoods.