JOIN USMadikeri violence: Forum to file PIL against BJP, Hindu outfits
Samana Manaskara Jathyatheetha Okkoota member V P Shashidhar said the Okkoota will file a public interest litigation (PIL) against the BJP and the pro-Hindu outfits, which gave a call for Kodagu bandh during Tipu Jayanti celebrations, as they are responsible for violence in the district.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, he said the BJP MLAs and the MPs created fear among people by giving statements condemning Tipu Jayanti and also by calling for a bandh on November 10. Also, a bandh call was given on November 11 opposing the death of VHP leader Devapanda Kuttappa. The Okkoota will appeal to the court to make the BJP and the Pro-Hindu organisations accountable for the loss incurred by the exchequer on these two days, he said.
The BJP and the Sangh Parivar are also responsible for the violence and loss of lives during Tipu Jayanti celebrations, he claimed. Riots break out and prohibitory orders will be imposed whenever VHP leader Jagadish Karanth visits the district. He should be banned from entering Kodagu, Shashidhar demanded.
Dist admin flayed
Shashidhar said it was wrong on the part of the district administration to give permission to the BJP to stage a protest and block road leading to Cauvery Town Hall where the Tipu Jayanti programme was held. This led to a clash between the BJP workers and Tipu admirers. The violence would not have broken out if the road had not been blocked, he observed.
He said that the district administration, which dispatched letters to all mosques of the district inviting them for Tipu Jayanti, failed to give protection to them, he alleged.
‘Tipu was a patriot’
Tipu Sultan, who fought against the British was a true patriot. Soldiers belonging to various religions and castes might have died during the war fought by Tipu Sultan. But the issue, which took place 200 years ago, should not be seen in terms of religion, Shashidhar said.
He said he is ready to take part in a debate in this regard and asked whether the BJP leaders are ready to participate in the debate.
“We have been learning in lessons from the past 50 years that Tipu was a patriot. People belonging to Sangh Pariwar are speaking against Tipu, only because (researcher) Dr Chidanandamurthy wrote an article against Tipu,” he said.
KPCC member Napanda Muttappa criticised that BJP leaders are not concerned about Kodavas. They have been opposing Tipu Jayanti only because the Taluk Panchayat elections are nearing. It is idiotic to create violence for an incident which took place 200 years ago, he criticised.
Discussion on Saturday
Shashidhar said a discussion of like-minded people will be held at Madikeri Town Hall on November 21 to create a harmonious atmosphere in the district. Leaders of various organisations, excluding BJP, will be invited for the programme. The discussion is not public, but internal. The future plans of the movement will be discussed, he added.