From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Belagavi, Mar 20: KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar has accused BJP of concocting fictional characters Urigowda and Nanjegowda as the killers of the Tiger of Mysuru Tipu Sultan 200 years after his death as part the ruling party’s strategy of communal polarization ahead of the Assembly polls and create rift among castes and religious communities.

“After twisting the history with regard to Basavanna, Kuvempu, Narayana Guru and Babasaheb Ambedkar as well as other stalwarts, BJP has now created fictional characters Urigowda and Nanjegowda as the killers of Tipu Sultan and thereby damage the dominant Vokkaliga community,’’ he said addressing a news conference at the party office in Belagavi on Monday.

Shivakumar pointed out that research writer H K Rajegoda had written an article in the revised volume of 'Mandya 50: A Bird’s Eyeview', wherein he had mentioned that Doddananjegowda and Urigowda has revolted against Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.

“When some people had questioned Rajegowda, the editor of the book, as to why the names of Urigowda and Nanjegowda were mentioned in the article despite knowing there was no mention of their existence in history, the writer had replied that he had mentioned the fictional names to ensure that Vokkaligas gained some prominence,’’ he said and pointed out that Rajegowda was not alive to give his clarification.

However, the KPCC Chief, who himself is a Vokkaliga, claimed the ruling BJP, known for its lies and Whatsapp University of fake news, has been attempting to turn the issue into political capital to derive mileage and drive a wedge between Hindus and Muslims.

“They (BJP) are not bothered even if historians and researchers are asserting that Urigowda and Nanjegowda are only fictional characters. They believe that this will help the party in the Vokkaliga stronghold in Old Mysuru region,’’ he said.

Challenging the BJP leaders to produce historical evidence on Urigowda and Nanjegowda killing Tipu Sultan, Shivakumar said BJP is trying paint the Vokkaligas as the villains who killed Tipu Sultan, who had fought against the colonial British rulers. “This is nothing but an attempt to tarnish the image and reputation of Vokkaligs as anti-nationals, murderers,’’ he said attacking the attempts to hurt the self-respect of Vokkaliga community.

The KPCC chief dismissed BJP National General Secretary C T Ravi and Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, both of whom ar Vokkaligas, as ‘stupid’ and accused them of ensuring that other communities turn against Vokkaligas through this gimmick of fictional characters as the killers of Tipu Sultan. “Now they (BJP) is producing a film on Urigowda and Nanjegowda with Ashwath Narayan writing the script. Even Union minister of state Shobha Karandlaje, who belongs to coastal Bunt community, has joined this charade,’’ he said.

Shivakumar accused the BJP leaders of talking about history which was never taught to them by their teachers. “They should remember that President of India had praised Tipu Sultan while addressing the State legislature. There are scores of historical books on Tipu Sultan. But BJP leaders are creating fictional characters not mentioned in any of the historical books,’’ he said.

The KPCC Chief warned that the party would oppose the BJP gimmicks of gaining political capital out of Vokkaligs and destroying the community’s self-respect and image. He urged the Adichunchanagiri Mutt Seer Sri Nirmalananda Swamiji, who is the guide of the Vokkaliga community, to take up the lead in the protest against the tarnishing of the community’s image and reputation. The Nanjavadhut Mutt seer should also join the agitation.

Answering questions on C T Ravi’s statement that those opposing Urigowda and Nanjegowda are ‘anti-nationals’, Shivakumar charged that C T Ravi, Ashwath Narayan and Shobha Karandlaje, who are destroying the country’s unity and peace are the people who are against the country, state, Vokkaligas and Hindus.

To another question on BJP’s statement that they will send him a book to prove the existence of Urigowda and Nanjegowda, he replied: “I too have read books. I did my post-graduation in political science. I know about the country’s history and the State too. I know what the Mysuru rulers and Tipu did for the State. I know about Shivakumar Swamiji, Balagangadharnath Swamiji and other seers. These false narratives of BJP and attempts to polarize voters will not work.’’

“Just because late Rajegowda had written article, does not mean it is historical evidence. Any claims on Urigowda and Nanjegowda cannot be proved merely with one article without any research or historical facts,’’ he added.