Mysuru: The Kodagu district administration is bracing for a tense time on Thursday with Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Samithi (Anti-Tipu Jayanti Committee) calling for a bandh on the day. The state government has organized celebrations to mark Tipu Jayanti on the same day.
“The government is forcibly imposing Tipu Jayanti on people and should be held directly responsible for any untoward incident,” Samithi head, Abhimanyu Kumar warned. He said the bandh has been called to condemn the decision of the government to celebrate Tipu Jayanti despite opposition of the public.
“What will CM Siddaramaiah get by organizing the celebration? They are only doing it to disturb peace in society. The government is trying to suppress the rights of people by booking cases under section 107 of CrPC against 900 people. They should stop booking cases against innocent people. The government is also suppressing freedom of speech and expression by booking a case against us for holding a press meet. Most of the people in Kodagu are opposed to Tipu Jayanti, let the government arrest all of them. Muslims in Kikkabbe village themselves have decided not to celebrate Tipu Jayanti. We are undeterred by the threats of the government,” Mr Kumar said.
The samithi is extending support to the protest called by the BJP on the same issue on November 8. They will observe Martyr’s Day on November 10 in memory of late VHP leader Mr Kuttappa who died during the communal violence in Madikeri last year during Tipu Jayanti celebrations.
Meanwhile, different community leaders boycotted the peace meeting held by Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Vincent D Souza.
Siddaramaiah: Not pandering to minority vote bank
Dismissing suggestions that he was pandering to the minority vote bank by going ahead with Tipu Jayanti celebrations despite stiff opposition, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said there was no necessity to lure anyone for votes.
Speaking to reporters on his arrival at Mysuru airport on Monday, the Chief Minister said, “What’s wrong in celebrating Tipu Jayanti? Are people not celebrating anniversaries of other kings and queens? Are people not celebrating Abbakka Jayanti and Shivaji Jayanti ? Who said Tipu was anti-Hindu? If so how could he have allowed Ranganathswamy temple next to his palace in Srirangapatna? He helped Srikanteswara temple at Nanjangud and Sringeri math. He gave endowments to 156 temples. He and his father Hyder Ali fought the Anglo Mysuru wars five times against the British and died during the wars. When there was no money to fight the third Anglo-Mysore war, Tipu pledged his two children. One who makes allegations against Tipu must study history. They cannot oppose celebrations for political reasons.”
He added, “Why did they (BJP) not oppose the celebrations the previous year? They did it only in Kodagu, this time they are doing it everywhere. So their intention is to create law and order problems. We have taken all precautionary measures to celebrate Tipu Jayanti peacefully.”
‘Politically motivated’
On the BJP allegation that the state was supporting attacks against RSS workers, he said, “It is a politically motivated and baseless allegation. Since the elections are coming, they are creating such conflicts.”
Meanwhile, Mysuru police arrested MPs Shobha Karandlaje and Pratap Simha, former minister S.A. Ramdas and other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party during their protest against Tipu Jayanti.
BJP plans mega rally
The BJP has decided to conduct a massive protest rally against the state government on Tuesday to oppose its decision to organize Tipu Jayanti celebrations. Party state unit President B.S. Yeddyurappa will lead the protest rally at Gandhi statue near Anandrao Circle in the city with senior leaders slated to attend the rally. At the recently held party core committee meeting, the BJP had decided to protest against the government decision to conduct Tipu Jayanti programmes. The party has also decided to make this a state issue and build public opinion against the government, said a BJP core committee member. Second rung leaders will conduct protest rallies in the districts, party sources said.
