Tipu, Hyder fought 4 wars against British, says Siddu

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. DH file photo

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Monday, defended his government’s decision to celebrate the Jayanti of 18th-century ruler Tipu Sultan across the state. The chief  minister accused the BJP and pro-Hindu organisations of creating law and order problem to disturb communal harmony.

Speaking to reporters at Mysuru Airport in Mandakalli, Siddaramaiah questioned what was wrong in celebrating Tipu Jayanti on November 10. “Tipu Sultan was a great leader and freedom fighter. He (Tipu) and his father Hyder Ali fought four wars against the British during the freedom struggle. The Nizam of Hyderabad and Marathas supported East India Company during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War,” he said.

Describing Tipu as pro-Hindu, Siddaramaiah said, Tipu extended donations to 156 temples, including Sringeri Sharada Mutt in Chikkamagaluru district, Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangapatna and Srikanteshwaraswami temple in Nanjangud.

Taking exception to the opposition by the BJP and RSS to the celebration, Siddaramaiah said they were making an attempt to disturb communal harmony and trying to create law and order problem. Tipu being projected as anti-Hindu is baseless, he asserted.

When asked about the violence that erupted during the previous Jayanti, he said, except in Kodagu district, the celebration was peaceful. “This time too, the celebration will be peaceful and the government has taken all precautionary measures to maintain law and order during the Jayanti. The Congress will never woo anyone to create a vote bank,” said Siddaramaiah.