BENGALURU: Defending the government’s decision to organise celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, CM Siddaramaiah on Friday chided BJP to learn to accept facts of history.
Responding to BJP MLA K.G. Bopaiah’s remarks on Tipu in the Assembly, he said BJP leaders were experts in distorting historical facts. “It is well documented that Sultan was a patriot and a secular ruler. There are several instances where he proved he was a true patriot. As a leader from Mysuru, I know these facts. Therefore, I thought it necessary to commemorate his birth anniversary,” he added.
While speaking on motion of thanks to Governor’s address, Mr Bopaiah slammed the government for commemorating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, alleging that the celebrations were held only to polarise votes ahead of polls. “The government should have been sensitive to feelings of Kodavas, who were worst affected by Tipu’s atrocities. Most Hindus were forcibly converted to Islam in this region,” he added.
