‘I am not against Tipu Jayanti celebrations’

Former minister Pramod Madhwaraj has ruled out any sort of differences with Congress and said there is no truth in the fact that he is against observing Tipu Jayanti.

Speaking to DH in the wake of his speech that he delivered during the golden jubilee celebrations of a church in Pethri going viral on social media, he said he is proud that his party is observing Tipu Jayanti as Tipu Sultan was a benevolent leader.

Clarifying about his speech, the former minister said he addressed the audience in the context of the occasion.

“Due to some unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances, I could not attend the Tipu Jayanti programme. It might have been God’s will that I was not able to attend,” he said.

He said his speech was a spontaneous reaction to the repeated statements made by the master of ceremony and some other guests asserting that the church was destroyed by Tipu Sultan in 1784.

He said rulers in the past had to protect their dynasty and kingdom and engaged in destruction to conquer a particular region.

“I am fine with Tipu Jayanti celebrations. There should not be unnecessary qualms over my opinion,” he said.