Bengaluru: In a strong attempt to send a signal to the BJP, which is opposing Tipu Jayanti celebrations in the state, Muslim Jagruti Balaga (MJB) convenor Qasim Saheb on Wednesday warned that members of his forum will lay siege to BJP offices across the state in the event of the saffron party trying to treat Muslims and Dalits as secondary citizens.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr Qasim Saheb said, "The BJP and its leaders must stop politicking and targeting Muslims in the state. The BJP is traditionally opposed to anything and everything which is linked with Muslims and their culture."
He added that none of the Muslim groups had opposed it when the BJP decided to celebrate Shivaji Jayanti in 2012 whereas, the BJP had started politicking ever since the Congress government started celebrating Tipu Jayanti.
"We (Muslims) only want the BJP to allow us to live peacefully, we are not interested in a confrontation of any sort with them. But, when push comes to shove, we will have no option but to lay siege to BJP offices in the days to come along with our Dalit brothers to prevent the party from indulging in communal politics," he said.
According to him, attacks against both Muslims and Dalits are on the rise by right-wing outfits over even their choice of food. "This is a condemnable act by the BJP and its allied organisations," he charged.
Celebration to be held in all taluks, state releases Rs 69L
The state government has issued an order making it clear that Tipu jayanti should be celebrated in all the 176 taluks and 30 district headquarters besides organisng a colourful function at Bengaluru on Thursday.
The government has set aside Rs 59 lakh for celebrating Tipu Jayanthi across the state and has also allotted Rs 10 lakh for meeting the expenses of the main function at Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, security throughout the state will be monitored by over 60,000 policemen including 15,000 home guards who have been pressed into duty on Thursday. Around 50 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), and 30 platoons of District Armed Reserves (DAR), and 6 platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed at sensitive areas across the state.
Security forces that were called in for Cauvery protests, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) along with two platoons of CISF have pressed into duty. The sensitive areas are Kodagu, Chitradurga, Belagavi, Chikamagalur, and Mysuru. Around 2,000 anti-social elements have been taken into preventive detention.
