Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Nov 11: "In my opinion, Tipu Sultan was a secular king and popular hero. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) abhors him because of religious bigotry and I do not care for their opinion," said former chief minister and leader of the opposition, Siddaramaiah.
He was speaking to a delegation of Muslim leaders led by former minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, who visited his residence to greet him on Tipu Jayanti on Wednesday November 10. Siddaramaiah commented that Tipu had given sleepless nights to the British and the Diwan and ministers in his court were Hindus.
Siddaramaiah said that Hyder Ali was the first king to have implemented the law that land belongs to the one who tills it. He said that Tipu had laid the foundation stone for the Krishnarajasagar dam and that there are a large number of documents to prove that Tipu had extended protection and assistance to many temples and Maths including Sringeri.
"Wherever Tipu constructed mosques, he also got temples built by their sides. This claim is also backed by records and documents. RSS which opposes Tipu never fought against the British," he pointed out. He also claimed credit for initiating Kempegowda Jayanti, Kittur Rani Chennamma Jayanti and Tipu Jayanti celebrations.
Speaking about the demand for Dalit chief minister, he said that the Congress alone has the history of having given the posts of chief ministers to the dalits. He said that the BJP government can bring Bommai down and replace him with a Dalit. He said that Congress chief minister in Punjab is a Dalit.
Former minister Zameeer Ahmed, M B Patil, V S Ugrappa and others were present.