Trouble simmers in South Karnataka districts in run-up to Tipu Jayanti

MYSURU: On the eve of the Tipu Jayanti, tension is brewing in the districts of South Karnataka, with various pro-Hindu organisations and the BJP announcing their opposition to the celebrations on Saturday.

Prohibitory orders were imposed in Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru and Mandya as a precautionary measure. Kodagu district has become the epicentre of the anti-Tipu Jayanti celebrations.

The district administration is holding the main event in Mysuru city amid tight security. Only those with a valid pass and invitations will be allowed to attend the event. Meanwhile, the district is expected to see a total shutdown on Saturday, with private bus and auto drivers announcing that they will not operate their vehicles, fearing violence. Commercial establishments are expected to shut down too.

On Friday, BJP leaders protested across the district. In Madikeri, local MLA Appachu Ranjan led a protest, demanding cancellation of the celebrations.

Srirangapatna in Mandya district, where Tipu’s tomb and fort are located, is also under tight security. Prohibitory orders were imposed in the town till 6pm Sunday, as a precautionary measure. An additional SP, five DySPs, 14 circle inspectors, 23 sub-inspectors, 400 police constables and 300 Home Guards are monitoring the law and order situation in the town.

Meanwhile, BJP and pro-Hindu organisations protested across South Karnataka on Friday, demanding cancellation of Tipu Jayanti celebrations.

BJP, Cong hold rallies

In Mysuru, BJP and Congress parties organised rallies, opposing and supporting Tipu Jayanti in several parts of the city. The BJP Mysuru Rural district unit held a protest in front of the Gandhi statue near the court. Party activists shouted slogans against the state government for imposing Tipu Jayanti.

Leaders, including Chamaraja MLA L Nagendra urged the state government to consider the demand to celebrate the birthday of either former President Abdul Kalam or Kannada poet Shishunala Sharif.

A rally organised by the BJP evoked poor response with only around 50 leaders turning up. Former MLC and BJP spokesperson G Madhusudan used the occasion to criticise Congress and JD(S) leaders over the celebrations. He urged Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy to rename Nazarbad as the name symbolises atrocities committed by Tipu Sultan. “It was part of the Agrahara before Tipu’s rule. The CM must follow in the footsteps of the Uttar Pradesh CM and ensure that names of city localities do not represent the rule of Tipu and his father,” he said.

Calling former CM Siddaramaiah “Sidda Khan”, Madhusudan said the former CM had lost the Chamundeshwari constituency because of his decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti.

Near the Small Clock Tower of the city, Congress activists held a protest, alleging that BJP is trying to create communal tension in the name of Tipu Jayanti. Former MLA Vasu alleged that when BJP was in power, leaders including then CM Jagadish Shettar had heaped praise on Tipu. “Today, for political gain, they are opposing Tipu Jayanti,” he said.