Amidst tight police vigil, Hassan district administration celebrated Tipu Jayanti in Hassan on Friday.
Metal detectors and dog squad ensured that was no breach of security at the venue. The number of people who attended the programme held at Hasanamba Kala Bhavan was less compared to last year. Heavy deployment of the police is also said to be one of the reasons for a poor response to the programme.
Minister for Sericulture and Animal Husbandry A. Manju, who is also in-charge of Hassan district, said some people were trying to disturb communal harmony by limiting Tipu Sultan to a particular religion.
“For political reasons, Tipu is being projected as anti-Hindu by vested interests. In order to avoid any untoward incident, the police have been deployed. However, I hope, in the years to come the opinion about Tipu Sultan among such people will change and they will also participate in the programme,” he told presspersons.
Hassan MLA H.S. Prakash, in his address, took objection to those criticising Tipu Sultan.
“The records show that Tipu helped Sringeri Sharada Peetha when outsiders attacked the place. Similarly, there are records to prove his contributions to many Hindu temples during his tenure. Let there be a debate on Tipu’s contributions to the land in presence of Sringeri Sharada Peetha seer. Those criticising him should clear all their doubts in an open debate once for all,” he said.
Prof. Manjappa Gowda, who delivered a special talk on Tipu Sultan, said he was a Kannadiga who fought for the country. “We Kannadigas should feel proud for Tipu, who fought against British all through his life and sacrificed his life for the same cause. His contributions to the land he ruled are immense,” he said.
Referring to Tipu’s contributions to Sringeri Sharada Peetha, Manjappa Gowda said he treated people of all communities equally. “If he was anti-Hindu, he would not have allowed Hindu temples in his State. We should not see him through the lens of religion,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri, SP R.K. Shahpurwad, Hassan CMC president H.S. Anil Kumar, Zilla Panchayat CEO K.M. Janaki and others were present.
Veera Kannadiga Tipu, an organisation, conducted a blood-donation camp to mark the occasion. Many people including Superintendent of Police R.K. Shahapurwad donated blood in the camp.
