CPM condemns Munnani criticism of Tipu Sultan

Chennai: CPI (M) has condemned Hindu Munnani leader Ramagopalan for threatening Superstar Rajinikanth and other film personalities against acting in a biopic on 18th century emperor Tipu Sultan.

In a statement here, Marxist party's state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said Ramagopalan's statement terming Tipu Sultan as anti Hindu and anti Tamil is completely false. “Ramagopalan has asked members of Tamil film industry should not be part of the Tipu Sultan movie. Even if the movie was made, it should not be screened in Tamil Nadu. Senior BJP leader L. Ganesan has extended his support for Hindu Munnani leader’s statement. Such attempts to curb freedom of expression and creativity are highly condemnable,” he said.

Stating that Ramagopalan is trying to spread falsehoods against Tipu Sultan, he said that the emperor is remembered as one who fought and sacrificed his life against the British and protected communal harmony. "Historians have recognised the role of Tipu Sultan in fight against Britishers. He died on the battle field on May 4, 1799," he said.

The fact that 30 letters were exchanged between Tipu Sultan and Sringeri Shankaracharya was testimonial to the fact that he always stood for communal harmony. Besides, the researcher had proved through official records that the emperor had donated money from his treasury to 150 temples including Srirangapattinam Ranganathar temple, he noted. “To project such person as a religious fanatic and anti Tamil is condemnable,” he said.

The CPI(M) leader appealed to the film fraternity not to listen to Ramagopalan's threatening statement and assured that his party would standby them to protect freedom of expression and creativity.