Soon after assuming charge, the B.S. Yediyurappa-led BJP government on Tuesday cancelled the birth anniversary celebrations of Tipu Sultan, which had become an annual event under the previous Congress regime.
In an order, Kannada and Culture department has stated that the Hazrat Tipu Sultan Jayanti, which was being celebrated since 2016, has been cancelled “with immediate effect”.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting Mr. Yediyurappa chaired on Monday, according to the order.
The Tipu Jayanti celebrations, which began in 2016 under the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, had been marked by protests every year.
Opposing the Tipu Jayanti celebrations, the BJP termed the erstwhile Mysore ruler as a “tyrant” and “anti-Hindu”.
On Monday, senior BJP leader and former Speaker K.G. Bopaiah wrote to the Chief Minister seeking cancellation of Tipu Jayanti. He argued that there had been protests against celebrating Tipu Sultan, especially in Kodagu district, leading to the destruction of private and public property.
The government order is based on this letter.
Siddaramaiah calls the move ‘anti-minority’
The BJP’s move has been condemned by former Chief Minister and Congress Legislative Party leader Siddaramaiah. He said that it was part of the “anti-minority” ideology of the BJP. “It is myopic to see Tipu as a minority icon alone. He fought the British and contributed immensely to the development of Mysore region,” he said.
