Legislators K G Bopaiah and Appacchu Ranjan and Kodagu Mysuru MP Prathap Simha said that the BJP members will not allow observation of Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary in Kodagu district.
The BJP will observe a Black Day on November 10 in Kodagu they warned, and also called upon the public to voluntarily observe bandh in the district.
Addressing mediapersons, Bopaiah said that the Congress-led government’s move to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan was an attempt by the ruling party to strengthen its vote.
“Tipu was neither a patriot nor a freedom fighter. It is, therefore, a tragedy that the government is going ahead with its decision to observe Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary amidst all the opposition,” he said.
Continuing on the matter, the legislator said, “Tipu had attacked Kodagu district twice. He had even vandalised temples and killed innocent people in the district. Some non-Muslims were forcibly converted into Islam during his reign in the district.”
Bopaiah called upon members of all communities to protest against the move of the State government. “Why is the district Congress president B T Pradeep silent on the move of the government?” he asked, also calling upon the voters to teach the Congress a lesson in the upcoming taluk and zilla panchayat elections.
MP Prathap Simha said Tipu followed an anti-Kannada policy. “According to the available historical records, Tipu had given priority to the Persian language in administration matters. As a ruler, he had also changed the names of the cities,” he complained.
‘Sentiments hurt’
“As a means to woo one section of the society, the government is hurting the sentiments of the Hindus. The concept of India as a country did not exist during the reign of Tipu Sultan. To protect his territory, he had fought against the British, Marathas and the Nizams of Hyderabad,” said Simha.
On being asked whether he could call for a Mysuru district bandh, Prathap Simha said that the BJP would hold protests in Kodagu, Mysuru and Mangaluru districts on November 10.
To urge the government to drop the proposal to observe the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, a protest will be held in front of the deputy commissioner’s office on November 7.
Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishat, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagarana Vedike and ABVP Madikeri unit have extended their support to the voluntary bandh on November 10.
