Karnataka celebrates Tipu Jayanti amid tight security

The JD(S)-Congress coalition government's plan to celebrate Tipu Jayanti was by and large successful as events were held across the state peacefully barring minor incidents of protests in Mangaluru and Madikeri. The state government had deployed over 54,000 additional police personnel across the state to ensure that no untoward incidents occur.

The police arrested hundreds of BJP workers along with MLA M P Appacchu for taking out a protest march against the event in Madikeri. BJP MLC Sunil Subramanya, MLA M P Appacchu and top officials from the Madikeri district police were locked in a heated argument even as the party workers resorted to sloganeering in Madikeri town.

The BJP workers raised slogans against the Congress-JD(S) coalition government's decision to hold the celebrations. The protests broke out after the police prevented people from entering the celebration venue in Madikeri for those who do not have invitation cards.

VHP, Bajrang Dal and Sri Rama Sene activists being taken into custody in Manguluru. (DH Photo/Govindraj Javali)

No protests were reported in Mysuru as well as Srirangapatna, in Mandya district, on the occasion of Tipu Jayanti.

The city police have clamped prohibitory orders to maintain law and order.

In Srirangapatna, a large police presence is in place to ensure law and order. During the previous Tipu Jayanti celebration, police had booked eight people for violating norms in Srirangapatna.

In Mangaluru, over 60 VHP, Bajrang Dal and Sri Rama Sene activists, who attempted to take out a procession opposing Tipu Jayanti at Ganapathy temple near Zilla panchayat hall, were taken into custody. Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell accused the state government of suppressing their voices.

However, in Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Shivamogga; Tipu Jayanti was celebrated without any untoward incidents being reported. The programmes that began at about 10.30 am, in these three cities, were conducted amidst heavy police bundobust. They ended without incident at about 2 pm.

In Tumakuru, Tipu Jayanti was held at the Bal Bhavan, amidst unprecedented police security. MG Road, which is the busiest street in the city, wore a deserted look as most shoppers preferred to stay home till the programme ended. Police had erected nakabandis (barricades) at several places in the city to check vehicles.

In Koppal district, Tipu Jayanti was celebrated without any untoward incident. Floral tributes were paid to the warrior king during the programme which was held at the Sahitya Bhavan auditorium.

In Hospet, a youth costumed to look like Tipu Sultan was the cynosure of all eyes at the Tipu Jayanti celebrations held on Saturday. The celebrations ended peacefully and without incident.

In Udupi, police took into custody Bajrang Dal activists who shouted slogans and staged a protest against Tipu Jayanti celebrations being held in the district. The protest was staged in front of the deputy commissioner's office in Manipal, on Saturday morning.

In Davanagere, Tipu Jayanti celebrations were held amidst heavy police security at the high school grounds. No untoward incidents were reported.

The Tipu Jayanti programme at Hubballi which was held at the Mini Vidhana Soudha, went off peacefully, albeit under heavy police protection. It may be recalled that the BJP had staged protests this past week and opposed the celebrations.

In Yellapur, in Sirsi taluk, protestors led by Town Panchayat member BJP member Someshwara staged a protest during the Tipu Jayanti celebrations and shouted slogans against Tipu and the state government.

In Yadgiri, Mohammed Hafiz Shafisab delivered a special lecture on Tipu Sultan, as part of the Tipu Jayanti celebrations.

Read:

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(With inputs from Naina J A, Mangaluru)