Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Nov 10: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal staged a strong protest against the celebration of Tipu Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, at zilla panchayat office here on Tuesday November 10.

The protest was held outside the ZP office even as the district administration celebrated Tipu Jayanti in the Netravati hall of the ZP office.

Anticipating trouble, the police had already deployed tight security at the premises, putting up barricades and closing the gates to prevent protestors from interrupting the celebration.

The protestors led by VHP leader Jagadish Shenava, Bajrang Dal convenor Sharan Pumpwell and Franklin Monteiro of BJP Minority Morcha shouted slogans against the government and the district administration and waved black flags.

The police intervened and detained more than a 100 protestors and took them away.

District administration celebrates Tipu Jayanti

Amidst protests, Tipu Jayanti was celebrated by Dakshina Kannada district administration, zilla panchayat, minority welfare department, and the Kannada and culture department on November 10 at the zilla panchayat.

District incharge minister Ramanath Rai inaugurated the ceremony and unveiled the portrait of Tipu Sultan.

In his inaugural address Rai said, "It is important that people study Tipu in detail before labeling him as a 'fanatic'. Certain outfits have been indulging in propaganda against the Tiger of Mysore. He was one of the first freedom fighters of the country. Tipu was instrumental in Mysore’s victory against the British in all the four Mysore wars."

"Tipu Sultan is the son of the land. Paying a fitting tribute to him is our duty. We had chapters on Tipu in our school curriculum. However nobody revolted against it back then. Why now?" he questioned, adding that it was just the "mischief mongers who wanted to disrupt peace in the society and creating a ruckus against Tipu Jayanti".

The main speaker of the programme, historian Dr Uday Barkur said that Tipu was one of the key persons responsible for the revolution of South Karnataka. He slammed forums calling him a fanatic and urged people to learn facts from authentic sources before drawing a conclusion on Tipu’s character.

Stating that Tipu was responsible for the development of agriculture and sericulture in Karnataka, Dr Barkoor said it was due to Tipu’s farsightedness that Karnataka had turned into a developed state. "India would have been a pioneer in technology had there been only ten dynamic personalities like Tipu Sultan," he added.

Addressing the gatheirng MLC Ivan D'Souza said, "Those who are maligning freedom fighter Tipu Sultan are interested in their selfish motives rather than the betterment of society."

Mangaluru north MLA Mohiuddin Bava speaking about his childhood days said, "Previously Tipu Sultan's lessons were taught in schools and there was nobody to spread hatred about him. But now people are trying to frame him as an anti-Hindu leader. He was a freedom fighter who fought against the British."

Mangaluru south MLA J R Lobo, ZP CEO Srividya, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, police superintendent Dr S D Sharanappa, Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy president Mohammed Haneef, MUDA president Kodijal Ibrahim, Dr Kripa Amar Alva, Usman A and others were also present at the occasion.

Tipu posters torn, smeared with ink

Meanwhile, unidentified persons damaged posters and banners of Tipu Sultan put up by SDPI at Mahaveer circle, Pumpwell here.

The attackers also smeared ink on the posters and garlanded them with footwear.

On receiving information, the police removed the posters and banners to prevent further trouble.