BJP warns of protests if govt organises Tipu Jayanthi

The state BJP on Saturday opposed the state government’s decision to organise Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations on November 10, accusing it of triggering communal hatred.

BJP general secretary and MP Shobha Karandlaje told reporters that the party will launch a protest if the government goes ahead with the celebrations. There is a strong opposition to the Jayanthi celebrations from many communities, including Christians and Nayakas, she added.

Karandlaje said that she had written to the deputy commissioners of Udupi and Chikkamagaluru, asking them not to mention her name in the invite for the Tipu Jayanti celebrations in the two districts.

Terming Tipu Sultan “anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada”, she said, “There is no need to include the names of BJP leaders in the invitation on the pretext of following protocol. The government is triggering communal hatred by repeatedly organising Tipu Jayanthi. The government is misusing the taxpayers’ money. Let it organise the Jayanthi using the Congress party’s funds,” she said.

Karandlaje said that people of Mysuru and Kodagu, Christians in Mangaluru and the Nayaka community in Chitradurga are opposing the Jayanthi. “Officials too are saying that they don’t want to involve themselves in the Jayanthi. Members of the Islamic community themselves haven’t demanded that the government organise the Jayanthi. This goes to show that the government is indulging in vote bank politics,” she added.

BJP MLA R Ashoka said the government will be creating a law and order problem by organising the Jayanti. “Siddaramaiah should become ‘Shanthi Siddaramaiah’, not ‘Benki Siddaramaiah’,” he added.