Tipu's patriotism unquestionable: Minister

District In-charge Minister K R Ramesh Kumar has called terming Tipu Sultan a traitor the height of indiscretion, as Tipu’s expression of patriotism in fighting the British for freedom is indubitable.

The minister was addressing the Tipu Jayanti programme at the Al Ameen College grounds on Thursday. He took the BJP leaders who opposed the programme to task, demanding that the protesters read history. “There were many rulers in the pre-Independence era, who saved their skins by being virtual slaves of the British.

Tipu, on the other hand, displayed high levels of self-respect, and befriended the French emperor Napoleon to fight the British. Unlike other kings, who preferred to be guarded by soldiers, Tipu personally led the army. His efforts, however, went in vain due to the work of traitors like Mir Sadiq,” said Ramesh Kumar.

Contemporising the situation, the minister said that there were ‘many Mir Sadiqs’ today too, and people should be wary of them. People should follow in Tipu’s footsteps and display self-respect and fighting instincts, he advised.

He warned that divisive forces in the of religion and communities are busy, but, no good would come of destroying the people. “Communalists who insist on opposing Tipu Jayanti on terms of the king being anti-secular, should remember that Kittur Chennamma, Jhansi Lakshmi Bai and Tipu Sultan are to be weighed on the same scales,” he added.

He told Muslims that they need not worry about opposition to the Tipu Jayanti programme. “The government is bound to protect you. Please forgive the protesters, and trust God to give them better sense,” he said, in criticism of the BJP leaders.

Confusion

MP K H Muniyappa said that Tipu played a primary role in getting Independence, yet, he continues to be criticised by people who have no idea of his efforts and are creating unnecessary confusion in society.

“People of all religions have sacrificed their lives for Independence. It will never be possible to separate Hindus and Muslims,” he declared, and called upon the people to suppress communal forces that cause trouble.

Dalit leader Pandit Munivenkatappa gave a lecture on Tipu Sultan at the event. Students who had won in the essays writing contest and debate about Tipu Sultan were awarded on the occasion.

Chikkaballapur
Local legislator Dr K Sudhakar called it unjust to tweak the life stories of patriots like Tipu Sultan and insult them, although they proved to be martyrs. “It will only be a problem for coexistence of people of different religions and communities,” he warned.
Dr Sudhakar was speaking at the Tipu Jayanti programme organised by the district administration and Department of Kannada and Culture at the Ambedkar Bhavan in town.

He concurred that gaining Independence was the outcome of the efforts of people belonging to different communities and criticised the Sangh Parivar move of Calling Tipu a traitor and anti-national ‘merely because he was a Muslim’.

The BJP and the RSS have been behaving dangerously in matters related to Tipu’s struggle for Independence, and there is a need for the minorities to stand united and fight such divisive forces, advised the MLA.

Educationalist Kodirangappa said, “Tipu developed the Revenue Department scientifically and worked hard to solve the problems of the farmers and middle class citizens. It is unjust for such a ruler to false charges made by writers who present history as they desire.”

B S Venkatachalapathy, assistant director of the Department of Kannada and Culture, cited examples of the development works undertaken by Tipu in the state, including ban on liquor, opening of military school, implementation of scientific agriculture system, sericulture development and experiment with rockets. “Although Tipu lived for just 49 years, the British greatly feared him. They realised it was impossible to expand their empire till he was alive and got him killed through deceit,” he added.

Shafique Abidi (poetry), Jilani (journalism), ASI Syed Akbar (social service), Subhan Priya (literature) and Amrut Kumar (literature) were honoured with the ‘District Tipu Award’. Students who excelled in SSLC and PU examinations were also felicitated.