Tipu Sultan row reignites: K'taka CM attacks BJP MP

October 21, 2017 19:07

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah hit out at Union minister of state for skill development Ananth Kumar Hegde for refusing to be a part of events marking the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, a celebration that has been a strong issue of contention between the two arch-rivals.

Tipu Sultan, the former ruler of Mysore, evokes intense admiration and hate in equal measure. He is hailed as a freedom fighter for fighting the British, but his critics the BJP and the Sangh Parivar say he killed Hindus and Christians for during his expansion into the region in the late 1700s.

"As part of the government, he shouldn't have written it...Invitation (for Tipu Jayanti celebration) will be sent out to all central and state leaders, up to them to accept or reject," he told reporters in Bengaluru today.

Siddaramaiah also flayed the BJP for politicising the issue.

"There were four wars against the British and Tipu fought them all," he said, while claiming that Tipu was a "freedom fighter" who helped liberate India from the yoke of colonialism.

Earlier, Union minister Anantkumar Hegde has conveyed to the Karnataka government not to invite him to the "shameful" event of Tipu Sultan Jayanti on November 10.

"(I have) conveyed (to) Karnataka government not to invite me to shameful event of glorifying a person known as brutal killer, wretched fanatic and mass rapist," Hegde said in a tweet yesterday.

The BJP leader had also written a letter to the chief secretary and the Uttara Kannada deputy commissioner, asking them to direct the state government not to include his name in the programme invitations to mark the birth anniversary of the 18th century ruler of the princely state of Mysore.

The government's decision to celebrate the day on November 10 last year had drawn much criticism from the BJP and the RSS, who termed this act of the Congress as "minority appeasement".

The Siddaramaiah-led government is all set to celebrate Tipu Jayanti despite widespread protests and violence that had marred celebrations in the last two years.

Image: A tableau depicting Tipu Sultan moves past during full dress rehearsals for Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

As Israel debates response to Iran, US says...

Additional United States military assets that were moved into the Middle East before Iran's attack on Israel will remain in place, CNN reported, citing Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder.

Donald J Trump Makes History!

On Monday, April 15, 2024, Donald J Trump made history of a dubious kind when he became the first former American president to go on trial for criminal charges.

2 held for firing outside Salman's house, were hired by Bishnoi gang

Two persons including a man who allegedly opened fire outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai have been arrested from Gujarat, police said on Tuesday.

Want A Healthy Work-life Balance? Do This

Instead of looking at your personal and professional life as two separate entities, you can 'integrate' them and, at any given time, priortise what's important, suggests rediffGURU Anu Krishna.

What Raashii Is Praying For

Sanya is summer-ready... Nimrat dreams of Winter Wonderland...Disha is cruising...