JOIN USHistorian and former vice-chancellor of Mangalore and Goa universities Prof B Sheik Ali on Sunday demanded that the State Government set up an university in the name of Tipu Sultan.
Addressing the gathering during a seminar on ‘Tipu Sultan, the champion of social changes’ organised by Communist Party of India (Marxists) at the centenary hall of Maharaja’s College, Ali who has authored three books on Tipu welcomed the decision of the State Government to celebrate Tipu Sultan Jayanti on November 10.
He also urged the government to set up study centres in all the districts and provide books related to Tipu for the benefit of readers visiting the library at the centres. “That apart, an educational institution should be set up in the name of Tipu on the lines of Maulana Azad Educational Institute at New Delhi and ensure education to muslim students from economically weaker families,” he said.
Ali said that erstwhile Srirangapatna ruler strove towards binding Hindu and Muslim communities for communal harmony. “Tipu, who had a vision of welfare State was deeply influenced by French revolution. He successfully implemented administrative reforms and also introduced sericulture scripting a new chapter for establishing a modern society,” Ali said.
Former MLA and Secretary of CPM State unit G V Sriramreddy alleged that there has been a conspiracy by distorting history and spreading false information that may cause harm to the country, if not stopped at this stage.
Singing paeans of Tipu, Reddy said “It was Tipu who helped in the rebuilding of Sringeri Mutt that had been destroyed by Peshwas of Maratha. When there was a issue over applying tilak on the forehead of deity Cheluvanarayana Swamy at Melkote, Tipu had written in Kannada to the then Parakal Math seer to solve the issue. His philanthropy at Srikanteshwara Swamy temple at Nanjangud has been recorded while he took initiative in conservation of Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple at Srirangapatna. There are no records to prove that Tipu destroyed temples,” Reddy said. said Reddy challenging others to prove the same.
Prof B Sheik Ali, Historian : An educational institution should be set up in the name of Tipu Sultan