At the time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal Secular (JD-S) were sharing power in the state. Even then, the demand had caused a national uproar cutting across party lines. Shankaramurthy wanted Tipu Sultan-who sacrificed his children to end the British rule-obliterated from Karnataka history on the spurious logic that the alleged neglect of Kannada language was reason enough. Never mind that the Mysore state archaeological department holds in its possession more than thirty letters sent from Tipu to the shankaracharya of the Shringeri math, all written in Kannada. The proposal was based on the completely false pretext that Tipu did not give due importance to the Kannada language and promoted Persian language instead. Especially his proposal to obliterate the great warrior Tipu Sultan’s name from the annals of Kannada history. The trigger was his unusual demand to recast history books in the mould of the Sangh Parivar. It was 2006 and DH Shankarmurthy, a nondescript swayamsevak, was handling the higher education ministry in the HD Kumarswamy-led coalition government suddenly hit the national headlines. Men try to achieve popularity by any means. The Siddaramaiah government decided to hold celebrations to honour Tipu Sultan on his birth anniversary in 2014 and the event has been held ever since, marked by BJP and right-wing organizations’ protests.Ghatam Bhindyat, Patam Chhindyat, Kuryat Rasbharohanamīreak earthen pots, tear clothes, ride a donkey: Tipu Sultan was the ruler of erstwhile Mysore in the 18th century and was killed in May 1799 when he was defending his fort at Srirangapatna against the British forces.
The decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti under the aegis of the government was taken a few years ago and this will continue.” Tipu fought against the British and we will ensure that the celebrations are held peacefully irrespective of protests by any group. As per the daily, Parameshwara said, “The BJP protests against Tipu Jayanti celebrations without reason. Last week, the Deputy CM had reaffirmed that the state would hold the celebrations despite the protests. The BJP and right-wing organisations believe that Tipu Sultan was a “bigot” and “anti-Hindu” even as the Congress honours him for fighting against the British. Many BJP legislators have asked the Congress-JD(S) government to not invite them for the function celebrating the 18th-century ruler’s birth anniversary. They have claimed that Kumaraswamy had given permission for the government to hold the event only to “appease” Congress leader and former CM Siddaramaiah, who had initiated the celebrations in 2014, the Indian Express reported. However, opposition BJP has alleged that Kumaraswamy was skipping the Tipu Sultan celebrations event because of differences with the coalition partner. Deputy CM Parameshwara, who is also the Home Minister of the state, had assured that the celebrations will take place amid tight security. Last week, the Karnataka government had decided to proceed with the Tipu Sultan birth anniversary celebrations, despite the stiff opposition by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Section 144 has been imposed in the area after the protests. Congress' Brijesh Kalappa alleged that the protest was sponsored by the BJP. Meanwhile, hours before the celebrations on Saturday, protests broke out in Madikeri against the state-sponsored Tipu Jayanti event, with protesters and police personnel clashing. The event will be launched by deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara of the Congress. Bengaluru: Just days after the Congress-JD(S) alliance put up an impressive show in the Karnataka bypolls, speculations are rife about cracks within the alliance government as Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has decided to skip the state event to celebrate birth anniversary of erstwhile Mysuru’s ruler, Tipu Sultan, on Saturday.