While the BJP government’s decision to review lessons on Tipu Sultan in textbooks has come under severe criticism from a section of scholars, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah has alleged that the party leaders have been practising “double standards” with regard to the 18th Century Mysore ruler.
At an interaction with journalists on Friday, he argued with byelections scheduled on December 5 for 15 Assembly constituencies, the BJP has been raking up communal and Tipu Sultan issues for the sake of votes.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar and Revenue Minister R. Ashok had glorified Tipu Sultan themselves on earlier occasions. They wore the turban akin to that of Tipu Sultan at public functions and hailed the Mysore king’s contributions to the State, the Congress leader said. Mr. Shettar even wrote a foreword for a book hailing Tipu’s contributions to the State.
“The BJP leaders refrain from speaking about real issues that touch people during elections. They raise communal issues to get votes. During the 2019 general elections too, the BJP raised communal issues and air strikes against Pakistan to get votes,” the former CM said.
On Mr Ashok’s comment that Mr. Siddarmaaiah would be ‘Abdulla Siddaramaiah’ if he was living during Tipu’s regime, the Congress leader showed photographs published in newspapers of the BJP Minister wearing Tipu style of peta. “Who is this wearing Tipu’s peta? Is it not Mr. Ashok” he asked. Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol too wrote an article appreciating the contributions of Tipu Sultan. “Why this double standard now,” the Congress leader sought to know.
