‘He respected people of all religions and communities’
Accusing certain writers of maligning Tipu Sultan’s image under the influence of right-wing outfits, noted writer and novelist Kum. Veerabhadrappa has underlined the need to assess Tipu’s contribution and propagate his values in order to have a secular society.
“Tipu was a great patriot and was a strong believer in secular values. He respected people of all religions and communities. He was a Muslim, but he protected temples and also got new temples built. Therefore, in order to strengthen the secular credentials of the State, we must follow his beliefs,” he said.
Dr. Veerabhadrappa was delivering a lecture on Tipu Sultan at a seminar organised by the district chapter of the Tipu Sultan Sangharsha Samiti here on Sunday.
‘Baseless propaganda’
Criticising writers such as M. Chidananda Murthy and S.L. Bhyrappa for making “anti-Tipu” statements, Dr. Veerabhadrappa said that such writers have not read history. These writers were creating “baseless” propaganda against Tipu because they had the patronage of the Bharatiya Janata Party government.
About the Union government’s proposal to establish a university at Srirangapatna named after Tipu, which is being opposed by these writers, Dr. Veerabhadrappa said that considering the contribution of Tipu to the nation, not just the university, but even Bengaluru International Airport should be named after Tipu Sultan.
Earlier, in his address, the former Union Minister and Congress leader C.M. Ibrahim said the British had followed a policy of ‘divide and rule’. “Unfortunately, ever after Independence, some writers are carrying out the same policy,” he said.
He called upon the Muslim community not to get carried away by the statements of writers such as Mr. Murthy.
President of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat Mallikarjun Yendigeri, AHINDA leader and S. M. Patil were present.
Keywords: Tipu Sultan, Tipu Central University, Srirangapatna
This man is responsible for the biggest genocide of my community. And you post an article adulating him?
And when i post truth about him you don't publish it? Why just one sided portrayal of
truth? Do you know you are hurting the sentiments of thousands by doing this?
Or is this community insignificant to you because they don't generate as much
passions as does the Hindus and Muslims?
novelist Kum. Veerabhadrappa should read the real history of Bharat and
not the communist and congress propagated false history taught in
schools. Let there be a independent archeological survey of places like
taj mahal etc to expose their truth. We Hindus are not secularist but
firm believers in our religion and other religions as different ways to
develope spirituality. Let everyone stick to following his religion and
not interfere in others religion and try being God.
This is to express concern over the biased reporting on the proposal to establish a university at Srirangapatna and name it after Tipu Sultan. While an historian opposed to the move like Dr. Chidanandamurthy is consistently reviled in your newspaper, no attempt has been made to seek his views on the issue.
Incidentally there are secular citizens opposed to the establishment of a new university at great public cost. They are also opposed to the myth making and personality cult that has flourished in the guise of nationalism. History is being sacrificed at the altar of ideology. It is time that The Hindu reflected views of citizens who do not belong to the political divide on this issue.
Mr. Arun had Commented that it was during Tipu's Campaigns into North Kerala, that the
Population there had converted. I have'nt seen any blatant misinterpretation of history, as that of his
views. It is to be noted that even Long b4 Tipu's incursions, the Population was overwhelmingly
Muslim, owing to the influences from the Arab Traders who had settled in the region as well as
through their marriages to local women and missionary activities. It is to be noted that Islam had
mostly propagated in Kerala, by 700's AD to 1400's AD. Tipu was even born, only, long after that.
So your Contention, as to your argument does'nt even merit consideration. Its also to be noted that
a Huge Swell of Conversions took place, within the then Dalit and Backward Communities, because
of their persecution by the Higher Castes at that Time.Tipu Sultan, though ruthless in his
Campaigns, had never resorted to an official or even widely recognized policy of Conversions.
If he was not secular, what Purnayya pandit was doing during his
administration... Its all because some false historians trying to malign
his image under influence of nonsecular outfits.. And i am sure, tipu
will always rise in the heart of all generations... Great martyr, may
you be in peace. Just imagine evven after 315 years of his martyrdom
people still keep him in mind, and discuss this issue.
I know the history of malabar how forced conversation happened. How Tipu destroyed many temples, even my parents told me the horrors of Tipu's reign on majority community. Even a laymen knows the history of Tipu's rule and most of the history in India is word of mouth or oral history. Even concrete evidences are available for Tipu's attrocities.
Tipu Sultan's atrocities in Malabar are well known. Many dilapitated temple structures in that region silently speak the stories of his ravage.
I am not well versed in History, but any person with little interest
in history will surely know how Tipu conducted himself during his
campaign of Kerala. Sack of Tanjore is yet another example
He was certainly not a secularist. The population in Malabar region
got converted during his campaign.If the British hadn`t intervened
even the kingdom of Travancore would have been raised to ground.
Even centuries after the invasion if you visit the southern districts
of Kerala you can catch the glimpses of fear that stuck during the
invasion.There are many folk tales on how temple(including Guruvayoor
temples) idols were relocated.
Should have done a research on what happened to the native Kingdoms of Malabar before making such a speech
Merits of Tippu Sultan apart, pseudo-secularists will be immensely pleased with this article.
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