Members of Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horata Samithi, BJP district unit, Vishwa Hindu Parishat and Hindu Jagarana Vedike staged a protest against Tipu Jayanti celebrations, in front of the deputy commissioner’s office in Madikeri on Friday.
Addressing the protesters, MLA K G Bopaiah said, “Birth anniversaries of rulers are not observed in the country. Even Quran does not propagate worship of an individual. Tipu is not a patriot. In spite of it, the government is engaged in observing Tipu Jayanti to woo voters from a particular community.”
He charged that by observing Tipu Jayanti, the coalition government in Karnataka was insulting the residents of Kodagu. There is enough evidence to prove that Tipu was anti-Hindu and a religious bigot.
“Tipu treacherously killed a lot of people in Kodagu. Hence, Tipu jayanti should not be observed in the district,” he demanded.
The MLA, further, said the BJP had been opposing Tipu Jayanti from 2015. In spite of it, the government has been observing the same amidst tight security.
“When he was an opposition leader, H D Kumaraswamy was critical of Tipu Jayanti. Now, he heads a coalition, where his partner is Congress. As a result, he has forgotten his promise to stop the celebrations,” he said.
The government cannot suppress the protest citing legal action. “We have knowledge of laws. It is not too late. Chief Minister still can suspend the celebrations in Kodagu district,” Bopaiah said.
MLC Sunil Subramani said despite stiff opposition to Tipu Jayanti, the government is blindly supporting it. The celebrations have led to violence in the district in the past. Such incidents should not recur in the district.
Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horata Samithi district president M B Abhimanyu Kumar said, “Tipu was tyrant. Even the State government in Karnataka is behaving in a tyrannical manner. It is not right to observe Tipu Jayanti amidst opposition from all quarters. Fear has gripped entire Kodagu district ahead of Tipu jayanti.”
Tipu was not a patriot and was anti-Kannada, he added.
A memorandum was submitted to Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya on the occasion.