Bengaluru, Nov 5 (DHNS): A group of youth from Kodagu on Friday submitted a memorandum to Chief Secretary Subhash Chandra Khuntia, urging him that the state government should not celebrate Tipu Jayanti on November 10.
Youth led by K P Manjunath, who had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Karnataka High Court challenging the government’s move, told the chief secretary that Tipu Jayanti should not be celebrated in the interest of maintaining peace in the state. It also hurts the sentiments of people of Kodagu, he added. The petitioner approached the chief secretary following a direction from the high court on Thursday. Though the high court disposed of the petition, it directed the petitioner to make a representation to the chief secretary in this regard. Khuntia has to pass an order by November 8.
Manjunath, in his seven-page memorandum, has said that Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali had killed more than 80,000 Kodavas and forced thousands of people to convert to Islam. Kodagu district witnessed violence last year because of the government’s decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti, despite protests. Two people were killed because of the adamant government, he charged.
Low-key affair
Minister for Planning and Statistics, M R Seetharam, who is Kodagu district in-charge said Tipu Jayanti will be celebrated on a low-key in the state, particularly in Kodagu, on November 10. Directions have been issued to ensure law and order. “Just because some people are opposing Tipu Jayanti, the government cannot stop it. The decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti was taken last year and it will be held this year also,” Seetharam said reacting to stiff opposition from the BJP to the government’s decision.’
‘Revered by many’
He said a section of people in Kodagu may not like Tipu Sultan. But a large number of people in Mysuru and Mandya districts revere him. “Tipu Jayanti is like any other Jayanti of well-known personalities. We have asked the BJP and other organisations in Kodagu not to do anything that would create law and order problem,” he added.