The state government might be firm on continuation of state-sponsored Tipu Jayanti celebrations despite strong opposition by right-wing forces, including the BJP. In Kalaburagi district, however, it is the state machinery that is posing impediments for Tipu Jayanti celebrations.
Organisations and individuals under the Tipu Jayanti Celebration Committee formed to celebrate Tipu’s birth anniversary at Shahabad in Kalaburagi district alleged that the police were not allowing them to celebrate the birth anniversary of late 18th century Mysore ruler on their own.
“We don’t want to take part in State-sponsored Tipu Jayanti to be held on November 10, as we feel the celebration is politically motivated. We want to celebrate the birth anniversary at Shahabad town in Kalaburagi district on our own. However, the police are not allowing us,” alleged Maruti Manpade, a committee leader, while addressing reporters here on Sunday.
Mr. Manpade said that Shahabad police had warned of arresting them if they celebrated Tipu Jayanti, either at a public event or as an indoor meeting. This, he claimed, was “anti-democratic”.
“We can understand the difficulty of police in maintaining law and order during controversial celebrations. They cannot deny us our democratic right of celebrating birth anniversary of a freedom fighter for that reason. We are ready to make changes in our programmes, such as changing programme timings as per police convenient. But we are not ready to give up the celebrations altogether,” he said.
Mr. Manpade alleged that district administration was preventing progressive, peace-loving and democratic people from celebrating the birthday anniversary, instead of preventing regressive Hindutva activists from creating trouble on the day, as it is afraid of the latter. He declared that like-minded individuals and organisations would go ahead with the celebration, despite obstructions from police.
“The district administration is afraid of Hindutva activists. Even district in-charge minister Sharan Prakash Patil is expressing his helplessness. If the government is not competent enough to tackle right-wing forces, both ideologically and physically, why did it declare the celebration of Tipu Jayanti despite strong opposition?” he asked.
Maula Mulla, another leader, said that Tipu Jayanti was celebrated by civil society even before government started to celebrate it. “Preventing people from celebrating Tipu Jayanti and forcing them to participate in State-sponsored events is condemnable,” he said.
The police, however, cite law and order issues behind the decision of not allowing public rallies on the day. Speaking to The Hindu, Alok Kumar, Inspector General of Police (North East Range), clarified that indoor programmes would be allowed.
"If everybody takes out public processions on the same day, we will not be able to provide protection. If some untoward incidents happen, we will be held responsible,” he said.