DC Debate: Outfit’s move to organise Tipu anniversary has stirred hornet’s nest
19 Nov 2015 7:00 AM GMT
Tipu was a fanatic and a murderer who killed thousands of Hindus, says L. Ganesan
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan was a religious zealot: L. Ganesan
Attempting to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan is a deliberate ploy to create social disharmony. Of course, in a democratic country like ours, if one group wants to observe his birth anniversary they can do it. I have no objection if they want to glorify Tipu. But who is Tipu Sultan should be clearly explained to the people.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Indian freedom struggle, not much is told to students about towering personalities like Tilak, Vanchinathan and V. O. Chidambaram Pillai or the negative aspects of Tipu Sultan. He was a fanatic and a murderer who killed thousands of Hindus.
During my visit to Tirupattur for the celebration of the 300th coronation of Shivaji, the school head master where the function was held told Ramagopalan (Hindu Munnani founder-convenor) not to speak ill of Muslims as it would hurt Muslim students of the school. Immediately, Ramagopalan said, “Without going into details I will merely tell the students that Afzal Khan died of heart attack upon seeing Shivaji (in the battle ground).” History should not be distorted or stopped only with one’s contributions.
The Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka is unclear of Tipu’s birthday and the so called secularism is nonsense. He wants to glorify Tipu Sultan. There were two types of freedom struggles in India. One was to drive out British rulers and the second rulers like Tipu Sultan who opposed the British to retain or safeguard their kingdom. You can’t call such persons as freedom fighters. The necessity of celebrating the anniversary of this ruler of “controversial” stature, is questionable. When I was in Cheranmahadevi, I was told that Muslim rulers gifted land to build a temple for Lord Ganesh. Strange! Where did the Muslim rulers get the land from? History texts should allot a corner in a chapter on foreign invaders.
He was secular ruler like Shivaji: M. H. Jawahirullah
Tipu Sultan was a great freedom fighter. He was a secular ruler who gave equal importance to all his subjects. Through his efforts, various temples, including Sringeri mutt, saw renovation. He carved a niche for himself in the hearts of Tamil Nadu people.
During the freedom struggle, Velu Nachiyar, Queen of Sivaganga (in 18th century the first queen to revolt against the British rule preceding Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai) raised an army with the support of Hyder Ali and attacked the British. (She won the battle against the British in 1780).
When the state government announced that a memorial would be established for Rani Velu Nachiyar, I and Dindigul MLA Balabarathi appealed to government to raise a manimandapam (memorial) for Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in Dindigul (where the Rani lived under the protection of Hyder Ali). The Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa immediately agreed to erect a monument.
The Sangh Parivar is always biased and distorts Indian history. Noted Indian scholar and historian, Bishambhar Nath Pande has exposed this. He said the BJP and RSS distorted history. They want to glorify Shivaji as a Hindu icon. In fact Shivaji was as much a secular ruler that Tipu Sultan had been. Shivaji’s personal bodyguards were Muslims and Rajputs were in the armies of the Mogul emperor Aurangzeb. Impressed by Shivaji, a few Muslim groups that served Aurangzeb joined the ranks of the great Maratha ruler.
B. N. Pande who had been an MP and a former Governor of Odisha had even asserted that the Prime Minister of Tipu Sultan was a brahmin named Punaiya and his commander-in-chief was also a brahmin, named Krishna Rao. About 156 temples were extended annual grants by Tipu Sultan who had even written letters addressed to the Sankaracharya of Sringeri Mutt with whom Tipu Sultan had very cordial relations.
(As told to J.V. Siva Prasanna Kumar)
Tipu’s steel sword
One of the world’s rare artifacts, this sword once belonged to the great national hero Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, now a segment of Karnataka. A dauntless warrior, Tipu ruled this Deccan part around the closing years of the 18th century.
The Delhishahi hilt with its circular disc pommel, oval grip, small knuckle-guard, short quillings and small langets, is damascened all over in gold in floral and creeper design. The fine steel blade, devoid of jauhar, is inscribed and bears the verses from the Holy Quran together with the name of Tipu Sultan and his capital Srirangapattnam. The wooden sheath is covered with maroon velvet, says a graphic description on the National Museum, New Delhi, portal.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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