Amidst tight security in and around Kalamandir here, the 268th birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan was celebrated on Friday.
The city police had taken over the venue and deployed personnel in large numbers as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incidents, with the BJP threatening to hold protests opposing the celebrations.
The Mysuru district administration, the Department of Kannada and Culture and Tipu Jayantotsava Samithi had jointly organised the celebration which was inaugurated by Minister in-charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa.
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MLAs Vasu and M.K. Somashekar, Mayor M.J. Ravi Kumar, historian Boodanur Puttaswamy, Mysuru Chapter president of the All-India Milli Council Maulana Mohammad Jakaulla, former Mayor Ayub Khan, Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited Chairman H.A. Venkatesh, Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, and others attended.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the Congress government was not celebrating Tipu Jayanti to appease any community or for the political gain but in recognition of Tipu’s patriotism and secular practices. “We should be proud of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who valiantly fought against the British to safeguard the people and the land,” he noted.
“If Tipu Sultan was anti-Hindu, why was almost half of his army Hindu? Why was Dewan Poornaiah holding the responsibility of his administration?” he asked.
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The Minister rubbished claims that Tipu Sultan was behind mass conversions of Hindus and said he was a freedom fighter and a bridge between Hindus and Muslims, who wanted to end the British stronghold. But some vested interests unleashed a false campaign against the ruler who, was a true patriot and pro-people.
The Minister suggested that Tipu Sultan should not be seen based on his religion but as a monarch who brought several revolutionary reforms in his rule that are remembered even today.
Maulana Jakaulla said Tipu Sultan became a martyr while safeguarding the country. “Like how he fought the British, Hindus and Muslims must jointly fight their common enemies and make the country a heaven for all,” he added.
KSRP and CAR police personnel had been deployed in some sensitive areas across the city. Lliquor shops, bars and restaurants had been closed as a precautionary measure.
Deputy Commissioners of Police Vishnuvardhan and Vikram Amathe supervised the police bandobast. The Mysuru district police had beefed up security across the district in view of the celebrations that went off peacefully.