Karnad's Tipu remark triggers fireworks

Noted playwright and actor Girish Karnad’s reported remark that the international airport here should have been named after Tipu Sultan instead of Kempegowda, set off a major controversy on Wednesday with Opposition parties and several non-government organisations condemning it.

While speaking at the Tipu Sultan birth anniversary organised by the State government at the Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday, Karnad had reportedly stated that Tipu Sultan’s contribution to the freedom struggle was immense while Kempegowda had not played any such role. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was present on the occasion.

BJP leader R Ashoka charged that the government insulted Kempegowda in order to woo a particular community, while JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy accused Siddaramaiah of being an irresponsible chief minister. The JD(S) also hit out at Karnad and charged him with trying to please the government. The BJP leaders staged protests in various parts of the State, condemning the remark. The saffron party has been opposing the Tipu Jayanti organised by the government.

Siddaramaiah, however, distanced himself from the row saying it was Karnad’s personal view and the government had nothing to do with it.

Karnad is wrong: CM
“I was there when he made the remark. I should have clarified immediately... What he (Karnad) said was wrong,” he said. He said the government had no intention to rename the airport.

On the BJP’s charge that the chief minister was behind Karnad’s remark, Siddaramaiah said the BJP has been trying to gain mileage out of the controversy by politicising it. Karnad has  apologised and the row must end, he added.

“It is unfortunate that those present in the programme did not contradict the remark. This raises doubts that the State government may be behind this sinister design. The government has needlessly insulted the architect of Bangalore just to please the audience whom Siddaramaiah is wooing as part of his vote bank politics,” Ashoka charged.