Fears of untoward incidents loomed over Vellore district in Tamil Nadu with the Madras High Court’s order permitting an Islamic outfit to observe Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary in January 9 or 10 next year. Justice MM Sundresh of the Madras High Court on Wednesday granted permission to Tamizhaga Makkal Jananayaga Katchi, a hitherto unheard Islamist organisation, to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, the Mysore ruler of the 18th century.
The TMJK approached the court following the refusal of the Tamil Nadu Police to issue permission to the organisation citing law and order problems. The court refused to accept the stand of the police following which the latter set 17 conditions to the organisers of the event for permission.
The court gave conditional nod to the event on the condition that the organisers adhere to the guidelines set by the police. The conditions mandate that no speeches should be made against the Government and its policies and no religions or castes should be attacked or criticised. The speeches should deal only with the life of Tipu Sultan.
Vellore district is yet to recover from the gruesome murders of two Sangh Parivar activists (Vellaiyappan, the Hindu Munnani leader and Dr V Arvind Reddy, medical wing secretary of the BJP) by Islamic extremist organisations.
This year saw widespread riots all over Vellore following the death of a Muslim youth after questioning by the police in connection with an alleged love Jehad case.
Various Hindu Munnani activists and Sangh Parivar leaders who spoke to The Pioneer expressed reservations about the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan. “The death of a VHP activist in Karnataka in connection with the protests against the State Government organised Tipu Jayanti is still fresh in the minds of the people. We in all probability will approach the court to express our apprehensions,” said Gauthaman Ramakrishnan, Vedic Research Centre, Chennai.
But Intelligence agencies, both State and Central, are of the view that the event would pass off peacefully as it is being held as per the guidelines set by the State police.