Ahead of 2018 Assembly elections in Karnataka a major political row has broke out between the ruling Congress captained by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Opposition BJP over celebrating Mysuru King Tipu Sultan’s anniversary on November 10. Tipu Sultan who ruled Mysuru State during 1761 to 1799 was one of the first kings to fight the British in successive four wars known as Mysuru wars.
Karnataka Government always use to celebrate Tipu’s Jayanthi but after Congress Government came to power it has become a major celebrations and a political event which has major Opposition from saffron brigade which include RSS. Some of the Christian organisations’ are also opposing State Government celebrating Tipu’s Jayanthi. It may be recalled in 2015 the celebrations turned violent and two people had died in Madikeri protesting the celebrations.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who is going to face the critical elections has said his Government will celebrate the 18th Century ruler of Mysore for a second time, but many still find the idea politically motivated, and wasteful. Amid intense bickering Siddaramaiah justifies the celebrations by his Government and says Tipu was a patriotic ruler. However BJP and RSS affiliated rightwing organisations say Tipu was a religious bigot who forcibly converted thousands to Islam.
Meanwhile the BJP has started statewide agitation against the decision of the State Government which is celebrating Tipu Jayanthi on November 10.
Protests were reported in Kodagu, which witnessed two deaths during protests during the same event last year. Similar protests were held in Udupi and some other place where BJP is strong. The Kannada and culture department will be spending Rs 69 lakh for the celebration and a circular has been sent to the local administration in all districts.
Meanwhile the Karnataka High Court which is hearing a Public Interest litigation over the issue has asked the state government as what is the use of celebrating Tipu Jayanthi. The PIl is filed by one K P Manjunatha, a resident of South Kodagu. Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee who was heading the bench posed a question and asked "As far as my knowledge of history goes, he is not a freedom fighter, but a ruler of a princely state. What is the use of celebrating thisIJ Even if Nizam of Hyderabad had come, he would have countered him in same way." The matter is posted for further hearing on Thursday.
Noted historian Ramachandra Guha says it should not be celebrated by the government but individuals and groups can celebrate. He said "In my opinion, Tipu Jayanthi shouldn't be backed by the state government. I have no issues if an individual or a group celebrates it, but in India, which is a democracy, there shouldn't be celebration of a monarch or for that matter any kind of feudal lord. If the government has to celebrate, it should be the democrats who have had their share of contribution for the nation as we see it today."
Gauri lankesh a senior Journalist and social activist says “It's a political game to appeal to communities. I fear that such vote bank gimmicks will only lead to more violence by pitting communities against one another. From Kodagu, the violence might spread to other places too. Putting people's lives at risk for larger political gain is not done. As much as I respect Basavanna or Tipu, I think jayantis of all kinds are unnecessary. People who want to celebrate them can do so anyway."
Former Director of Infosys and member of the state government's Vision Group Mohandas Pai opposed government celebrating Tipu Jayanthi. In a RSS function he said the move is like celebrating the anniversary of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb--"a tyrant and staunch religious fundamentalist."
“I feel the government is playing politics. If at all they feel like celebrating anniversaries, let them celebrate Mirza Ismail, Wodeyars of Mysuru, [those] who did well for the people. The government's duty is to rule the state as one. Not by [dividing communities] -Coorgis, Mangalurean Christians or any other community, " he added.
Robert Rosario, member of the United Christian Association, said: "We will be observing Tipu Jayanti as a black day. A protest will be taken out. We have also written to the bishop to make an announcement about the protest, so that the public gets to know about the event through churches."