Violence erupts after BJP protest against Tipu Sultan event; VHP worker dead

MADIKERI | BENGALURU: A Vishva Hindu Parishad supporter died when he fell off a boundary wall while trying to escape stoning in Madikeri, after BJP cadre protested against the birth anniversary celebrations of eighteenth century ruler Tipu Sultan on Tuesday. 60-year-old Kuttappa tried to escape stone-throwing crowds who opposed a district-wide shutdown called against the celebrations, senior police officials said.

Two seriously injured people are being treated at Mysuru. Trouble erupted when a group of people who objected to processions being taken to the venue of celebrations were attacked with stones, leading to bursting of teargas shells and baton charge, according to the police.

The BJP bandh against the government’s decision to celebrate Tipu’s birth anniversary for the first time, follows its allegations that Tipu Sultan was a ‘religious bigot’ who ‘persecuted’ Hindus. As protesters overwhelmed the security contingent, additional forces were rushed from Chamarajnagar and Mysuru districts and prohibitory orders promulgated in the entire Kodagu district.

"One person fell off a compound - sustained injury on his head and died," ADGP Law and Order Alok Mohan said. Police said another person fell from the staircase of a hospital here and died and rubbished reports linking the incident with the violence.

In Bengaluru, Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad said that the Kempe Gowda International Airport should be named after Tipu Sultan. Karnad, who wrote a play ‘Dreams of Tipu Sultan was speaking at the celebrations organized in the Karnataka’s state secretariat.

The international airport was named after Bengaluru founder Kempe Gowda two years ago. The names of Tipu Sultan, 12th century poet-philosopher Basaveshwara and even Congress president Sonia Gandhi were suggested at various points. "Airports have been named after Subhash Chandra Bose, and Shivaji Maharaj. But the Bengaluru airport is named after Kempe Gowda. While Kempe Gowda deserves all respect as founder of Bengaluru, he was not a freedom fighter. The Bengaluru airport should be named after Tipu Sultan."

Karnad further voiced the anger that old Mysureans feel over the lack of acknowledgement of Tipu’s contributions to India’s fight for freedom from the British. "If Tipu Sultan was a Hindu, he would have been given the same stature as Shivaji Maharaj," he said. Tipu died outside his fort in Srirangapatna in the Fourth Mysuru War in 1799, fighting the British and the Marathas, despite his children being held hostage.

BJP national vice-president BS Yeddyurappa said Karnad’s demand was condemnable. "It will only cause more confusion and conflict among communities. He should not have said this," he said.