Bengaluru: In view of the violence at Madikeri in Kodagu over celebration of Tipu Jayanti last year, which claimed two lives, the state government seems to have decided to keep this year’s event a low-key affair and directed the Kannada and Culture department to organise it instead of the Minority Department.
Speaking to DC, a senior bureaucrat said the ruling Congress knows it cannot go back on its announcement to organize this event but it can certainly scale down the celebrations. “The very idea behind handing over Tipu Jayanti to the Kannada and Culture department is an indication that it will be celebrated on the scale of other anniversaries of iconic personalities of the state, including Valmiki, Kanaka, Basava, Siddarama, Shivaji and Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar,” the source said.
Meanwhile, leaving nothing to chance, Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar has reportedly held a meeting with top police officials to organize this event peacefully. Speaking to DC, a police officer said that probably Dr Parameshwar has not forgotten how he had to toil to contain the violence after being in the hot seat for barely a fortnight. “He is likely to call more meetings with police top brass.”
