BJP stages protests against Tipu Jayanti, wants NIA probe into killings of workers

Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday staged a protest against the celebration of Tipu Jayanti in Karnataka.

Police detained a few of the protesters.

According to a report, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa also demanded an NIA probe into the killing of 17 party workers and activists from various Hindu organizations over the last year.

“Over 17 party workers and activists from various Hindu organisations have been killed in the last one year. Some were killed during the Tipu Sultan Jayanti held at Madikeri last year. It is repeating this year as well. We have requested the Home Minister to initiate NIA probe into the killings,” Yeddyurappa said.

Two people died in the violent protests that marred the inaugural birth anniversary celebrations of the former Mysore ruler last year.

The Karnataka government deployed 119 KSRP platoons, 9,000 Home Guards, and 7 companies of Central forces across the state to avoid any untoward incident.

State Home Minister G Parameshwara appealed for cooperation from the BJP, but has received no response so far.