TIA NEWS / Bangalore /
Violence flared up in some part of Karnataka even as statewide celebrations are being held by the government for the first time to commemorate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan. Celebration is being boycotted by BJP amidst opposition by several communal outfits who see him as a “religious bigot”.
A local VHP leader died and several others, including policemen, were injured as violence erupted over the holding of the birth anniversary celebrations in Kodagu district.
A youth was also injured in firing by some unidentified persons near here, police said, adding that prohibitory orders have been clamped in the entire Kodagu district and additional reinforcements sent to the area to bring the situation under control.
Police used tear gas shells and resorted to lathicharge as hundreds of people gathered here and clashes erupted between the opponents and supporters of the celebrations.
Some outfits in Kodagu district had called for a bandh today to protest against the government’s decision.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara said additional reinforcements were being rushed to Madikeri from Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts and appealed to people to maintain peace.
BJP has announced a “total boycott” of the celebrations, saying that no public representative from their party at any level would participate in the official function.
Tipu was a ruler of the erstwhile kingdom of Mysore and considered an implacable enemy of the British East India Company. He was killed in May, 1799, while defending his fort of Srirangapatna against British forces.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has defended the government’s decision to commemorate his birth anniversary even as he slammed RSS and “other communal forces” for opposing it.