BJP in Karnataka's Kodagu district has called for a bandh against the government’s decision to celebrate Tipu Sultan Jayanti. Kodagu is the the epicenter of the protest against Tipu Jayanti and in Somwarpet, Virajpet and Madikeri areas in Kodagu, vehicles remained off the road and the shops remained shut.
However, the officials of the district administration said the towns wore a deserted look because section 144 was implemented in Kodagu district.
The bandh is being observed from 6 am on Saturday to 6 am on Sunday by the Tipu Virodhi Horata Samiti, which was subsequently taken over by the BJP. "All businesses have shut operations for the day, including coffee estates. The auto and lorry unions are also with us. Only the SDPI vehicles were moving to attend the Tipu Jayanti celebrations," the organisation's President Abhimanyu Kumar told The News Minute.
Earlier on Saturday morning, the controversial Tipu Sultan Jayanti was kicked off amidst protests on in Karnataka.
Kodagu district saw protests in the morning, despite the district administration issuing prohibitory orders. According to police, a group of BJP workers, led by MLC Sunil Subramaniaya, were detained after they tried to interrupt the Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Madikeri town.
In Bengaluru, public meetings were organised by the pro Tipu Jayanti activist, however, no incidents have been reported.
The state-sponsored centenary celebrations of this 18th-century ruler was introduced by the previous Congress government under chief minister Siddaramaiah. While the Congress had called Tipu a patriot and a pioneer in science, the BJP had opposed the event, alleging it was a celebration of ‘a tyrant’ responsible for the ‘mass murder’ of the members of Karnataka’s Kodava community.
My Absence Should Not be Misinterpreted: CM
A day before the Tipu Jayanti celebrations Chief Minister Kumaraswamy had decided to skip the event, citing health reasons. A statement from the Chief Minister’s office released on Friday read: “On the advice of doctors, the CM will take three 3 days rest till November 11. He will spend time with family on these days and there will be no official engagements.”
On Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara also announced he will not be attending the Tipu Jayanti celebrations, as his return from abroad will be delayed.
Amidst the allegations of him skipping the event on purpose to avoid a political backlash, on Saturday, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy issued a statement that his absence should not be misinterpreted. “Tipu Sultan's progressive measures in administration, his quest for innovation are commendable,” described Chief Minister. Kumaraswamy.
Wishing the event all success, he said: “I am taking rest on doctor's advice, so I am unable to take part in the program. It is unnecessary to add any special meaning to it. It is also far from truth that I am taking part due to the fear of losing power.”
However, the Chief Minister’s absence has ignited a potential controversy and rumours of growing differences in the coalition. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who started Tipu Jayanti in 2015, celebrated the event on the day with his followers. He made no statements about the Chief Minister’s absence.
However, some within the Congress have alleged that CM Kumaraswamy played down the Jayanti for his political goals. Kumaraswamy, before becoming the chief minister of the Congress - JD(S) coalition government, had opposed the celebration of Tipu Jayanti.
Honouring his promise of continuing previous Congress government’s programmes –and although he allowed Tipu Sultan Jayanti this year – celebrations were systematically made low-key by Kumaraswamy. His withdrawal from the event is considered the last step in the process.
Restricting the Celebrations
The Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebration was started in 2015 by the Congress government, with an intention of reviving the legacy of the erstwhile ruler of the Mysore kingdom. During the next three years the event was celebrated by the state government with fervour and the Jayanti also saw several organisations taking out processions across the state.
But this year, the government has issued clear instructions to ensure that the celebrations happen indoors and no public processions are taken out. According to Bengaluru police, several organisations had sought permission to conduct programmes at Tipu Sultan’s summer palace in Bengaluru, but permissions were denied following the government order. Similarly, permissions were denied to public rallies in other parts of the state as well.
According to sources, Congress had insisted on the Vidhan Soudha as the venue for Tipu Jayanti celebrations, however, Kumaraswamy was not in favour of this. Instead he allocated an apolitical venue, Raveendra Kalakshetra, a government owned auditorium in Bengaluru.
Prohibitory Orders in Several Parts
Ahead of the Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Karnataka, the Mandya police have issued prohibitory orders in Srirangapatna, the erstwhile capital of the Mysuru from where Tipu Sultan once ruled, from Friday evening.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code will take effect in Srirangapatna, Kodagu and Chitradurga from 6 pm on Friday and continue till 6 am on Sunday. These three sensitive areas had seen communal tensions during last year’s celebrations.
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