The district administration observed Tipu Jayanti amid tight security here on Friday. BJP workers, who staged a protest opposing the Jayanti, were arrested to avert any untoward incident.
District in-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj was conspicuous by his absence. He abstained from the programme even last year.
Inaugurating the programme, MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake said that the controversy over Tipu Jayanti has increased as elections are nearing. People should attempt to unite the society and not divide the society, he said.
"Tipu fought against the British and contributed immensely towards the welfare of the state. It is the duty of the government to honour such individuals," he said.
"We have to remember all those who fought against the British in the country," the MLA said.
Thinker K Phaniraj said that Tipu and Hyder Ali were responsible for building an empowered state. It was Tipu who introduced sericulture to the people of the state, he said.
CMC president Meenakshi Madhav, Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis and others were present.
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