Tipu Jayanti: Invites reprinted, BJP MPs Anant Kumar Hegde, Suresh Angadi not in

Belagavi: Union Minister, Anant Kumar Hegde and BJP MP, Suresh Angadi have finally got their way and will not be part of the Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Belagavi and Uttara Kannada districts. As requested by the two men, their names have been deleted from the reprinted invitation cards.

“The cards for the Tipu Jayanti celebrations on November 10 were printed with Suresh Angadi and Ananth Kumar Hegde mentioned as special invitees. But as they have requested the government to drop their names, we have reprinted the invitation cards without any mention of them,'' Additional District Magistrate of Belagavi, Dr Suresh Itnal said.

The cards for Tipu Jayanti that were printed a few days ago had followed protocol and mentioned both BJP leaders as invitees. But the district administration decided to remove them after it received a letter from the state Chief Secretary on Wednesday asking it to drop the MPs and legislators who were against participating, Mr Itnal explained.

Mr Hegde first wrote to the Chief Secretary asking to be excluded as he was against celebrating the birth anniversary of the Mysuru king. Belagavi MP, Suresh Angadi later came out in his support, accusing the government of trying to appease the minorities and claiming that Tipu had massacred a large number of Hindus and demolished temples during his reign. Going by district officials BJP MLA, Kageri's name has also been removed from the invitation card.