Don’t include our names in Tipu birth fete invite: BJP

A majority of BJP MLAs and Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada district have written to the Kannada and Culture Department assistant director to not to include their names in the official invite of Tipu Jayanti celebration, scheduled to be held on November 10 in the district.

In a letter, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has stated that there was opposition to Tipu Jayanti. Kateel stated that he considered Tipu Sultan 'anti-Hindu and anti-Kannada' and did not want to be associated with his birth anniversary celebration. Furthermore, Tipu Jayanti celebration in the past had created a communal clash. It is condemnable that an anti-social person is being glorified, stated Kateel.

Mangaluru City North MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty in his letter has stated, “I am opposing Tipu Jayanti celebrations. My name should not be included in the invite. Hindus and Christians had undergone atrocities during the reign of Tipu Sultan. My name should not be included in the invite.”

Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath said that he was opposing Tipu Jayanti celebrations and that his name should not be included in the invite.

"Instead of Tipu Jayanti, the government could have observed APJ Abdul Kalam Jayanti or the birth anniversary of any great scientist who had loved all," he added.

Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja said, "In spite of the high court stating that Tipu was not a freedom fighter, the state government is projecting Tipu as a freedom fighter for vote bank politics. Tipu has done injustice to people. Hence, my name should not be included in the invite.”

Sullia MLA S Angara said that he did not write but denied to take part in the programme when officials called him.

Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik has also written to the authorities concerned not to print his name, while Puttur MLA Sanjeeva Matandoor said that he had not been contacted by the authorities on the same.