Tipu Sultan Jayanti 2018 LIVE updates: HD Kumaraswamy playing 'hide and seek', can't justify support for 'fanatic' like Tipu, says BJP

Hajarat Tippu Sultan group takes out bike rally in Ballari

The Hajarat Tippu Sultan organisation on Saturday took out a peaceful bike rally peacefully in Ballari, The Times of India reported. The Deputy Commissioner said that he found out about the rally, which is a violation of prohibition orders, via the media.

Hajarat Tippu Sultan organisation took out a Bike rally peacefully in Ballari. As it was violation of prohibition orders, Deputy Commissioner said, he came to know about Bike rally through media #TipuJayanti pic.twitter.com/IPzx1oCuSD

— TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) November 10, 2018

Visuals of BJP workers protesting at Madikeri DCP’s office

Madikeri: BJP workers raise slogans in the premises of the Deputy Commissioner's office protesting against #TipuJayanthi celebrations being held there. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/VC4k1IPV3Y

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

RECAP: Kannada outfits claim Tipu chose Persian over local language

While the BJP and some Hindu organisations see Tipu as a “religious bigot” and a “brutal killer”, a few Kannada outfits have called him “anti-Kannada”, citing that he had promoted Persian at the cost of the local language.

RECAP: Who was Tipu Sultan (contd.)

Tipu Sultan has also been accused of executing Mandayam Iyengars at the temple town of Melkote in Mandya district, because they pledged support to the then-Maharaja of Mysuru.

However, several historians have refuted the claims against the 18th-century ruler, and have claimed him to be a secular and modern ruler who took on the might of the British.

RECAP: Who was Tipu Sultan?

Tipu was a ruler of the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore, who was considered an implacable enemy of the British East India Company. He was killed in May 1799 while defending his fort at Srirangapatna against the British forces.

However, he is also a controversial figure in Kodagu because the native Kodavas, a martial race, believe that thousands of their men and women were seized and held captive during his occupation and subjected to torture, death and forced conversion to Islam.

‘Situation peaceful so far’, says Kodagu SP

Superintendent of Police of Kodagu Sumana D Pannekara told reporters that the situation was peaceful so far and security arrangements have been made to ensure that no untoward incidents took place. She said no one would be allowed to forcefully shut shops and business establishments, PTI reported.

“Around 500 police personnel along with officials have been deployed in and around Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru). DCPs of different zones in the city will be in charge of security in their respective jurisdictions. About 15,000 police personnel will be manning the city,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said.

Police detail protestors going to Vidhana Soudha

According to news agency ANI , state police have detained BJP workers led by MP Prahlad Joshi, who were heading towards Mini Vidhana Soudha to protest against Tipu Jayanti celebrations.

DK Shivakumar arrives for Tipu Jayanti celebrations at Vidhana Soudha

Bengaluru: Karnakata Minister DK Shivakumar arrives for #TipuJayanti celebrations at Vidhana Soudha pic.twitter.com/rFGjWtCtKH

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

Sangh Parivar held for staging protests in Kushalnagar

Sangh Parivar workers staged a protest at a Ganpati temple in Kushalnagar, and raised slogans such as ‘Kuttappa amar rahe’, in reference to district unit VHP secretary Kuttappa who died in the 2015 celebrations.

Input from Indresh C/101Reporters

BJP says Kumaraswamy playing ‘hide and seek’

Continuing its attack on Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, the BJP said that the chief minister cannot justify his decision of celebrating a fanatic. 

The party shared footage of Kumaraswamy first opposing Tipu Jayanti and then embracing it, and said that he cannot be playing “hide and seek.”

He then opposed Cong celebrating Tippu
Later he himself wanted to celebrate tyrant Tippu. He now goes into hiding

Watch the video as the Legacy of @hd_kumaraswamy’s U turn continues. Why play hide & seek when you cannot justify your decision of celebrating a fanatic Mr CM. pic.twitter.com/rYwCFVsZKa

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) November 10, 2018

RECAP: BS Yeddyurappa condemns Tipu Jayanti celebrations

Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa on Thursday tweeted his opposition of the celebrations, saying that the government’s goal is only to satisfy the Muslim community.

We are opposing Tipu Jayanti celebration. Nobody will appreciate this celebration. In the interest of the state, state govt must stop it. Government's intention behind Tipu Jayanti celebration is just to satisfy Muslim community.

— B.S.Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) November 8, 2018

Kodagu Muslim Association urges govt to publicise Tipu Sultan’s achievements

The Kodagu Muslim Association objected that the district administration should not be celebrating Tipu Jayanti behind closed doors. KMA president PA Khasim said that the government should publicize the 18th-century leader’s good work.

He added that the Muslim community does not need this kind of celebration amid prohibitionist orders.

Input from Indresh C/101Reporters

Hindu outfits call for bandh in Siddapura

Various Hindu outfits on Saturday called for a ​bandh in Karnataka’s Siddapura town to protest against the celebration of Tipu Jayanti.

Despite all private buses being asked to remain off the road, a few KSRTC buses ran as usual. However, all government offices, post offices, commercial establishments, shops remained closed

Input from Indresh C/101Reporters

BJP workers protest Tipu Jayanti, chant slogans against govt

BJP workers in Somwarpet were accompanied by police as they staged protests against Tipu Jayanti in Karnataka. The sloganeering protestors can be seen leaving the location.

Input from Coovercolly Indresh/101Reporters

RECAP: Two killed in 2015 Tipu Jayanti celebrations

Tipu Jayanti is opposed not only by the native Kodavas, but also by people from the Kodagu, who cite incidents of violence that occurred in 2015 during celebrations. While many parts of state witnessed protests during the 2015 Tipu Jayanti, things took an ugly turn in Madikeri leading to two deaths.

Though the subsequent years were not tainted with such casualties, the BJP and other right-wing elements obstruct the celebrations every year , oftenn calling for bandhs.

Visuals of BJP protests in Mandya

BJP activists observe Black Day at Mandya to register their opposition to #TipuJayanthi pic.twitter.com/XLMdw0RCNb

— TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) November 10, 2018

BJP accuses Congress of vote bank politics

Amid reports of Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy citing health reasons to skip Saturday’s events, the ruling BJP alleged that he has, in reality, gone into hiding. 

“What is the point of celebrating a fanatic when the chief minister himself abandons a government function,” the party tweeted.

CM @hd_kumaraswamy Missing!

While Cong-JDS govt is celebrating a tyrant Tippu, the CM himself goes into hiding, what is the point of celebrating a fanatic when CM himself abandons a govt function. Glorifying a mass murderer just for vote bank clearly shows mindset of this govt.

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) November 10, 2018

Lots of similarities between Congress and Tipu Sultan: BJP

In a fresh attack on the Congress on Friday, the BJP alleged that the opposition outfit and Tipu Sultan had a lot in common: Both were anti-Hindu, and working to divide them.

Their is lot of similarities between Congress & Tippu

Both were anti Hindu

Both believed in suppressing Hindus

Both were responsible for Killing of Hindus

Both believed in minority appeasement

Both wanted to divide Hindus

No wonder Congress is worshipping tyrant Tippu.

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) November 10, 2018

Visuals of police checking in Tumkur

Security forces in Karnataka’s Tumkur city can be seen monitoring the situation and working to prevent any violent outbreaks.

Input by Chandramouli/101Reporters

BJP activists arrested in Davangere

BJP activists, led by District BJP president Yeshwanth Rao Jadhav, were arrested by police near the Tipu Jayanthi program venue In Davangere city, at government High school ground, after they attempted to barge onto the podium of the program.

The sloganeering activists were protesting against Tipu Jayanthi and the state government.

Near Jayadeva circle, a few yards from program venue, a large number of BJP workers had gathered to stage a protest. However police deployed near the circle managed to stop the protest.

Input from M Shashi Kumar/101Reporters

Visuals of celebrations outside Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace in Bengaluru

#Karnataka: #Visuals from outside Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace in Bengaluru. #TipuJayanthi pic.twitter.com/K8kahavhOZ

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

Karnataka Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan meets former CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan met former CM Siddaramaiah at his residence in Bengaluru today. #TipuJayanthi celebrations are being observed by the state govt today. pic.twitter.com/IakUU4o8zQ

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

KG Bopaiah says BJP opposing ‘cruel’ king, and not Muslims

Prior to his arrest, MLA KG Bopaiah claimed that that Tipu Sultan was “cruel” and a “fundamentalist”, adding that those who organised Tipu Jayanti “would never develop”. 

He also said that the BJP is not opposing Muslims, but is opposing a cruel king’s celebrations. The government doing wrong by celebrating Tipu Jayanti, he said, as Holy Quran forbids any kind of birthday celebration, even the Prophet’s birthday.

Input from Coovercolly Indresh/101Reporters

Security increased at Tipu Sultan’s tomb

Security forces were seen in increased numbers at the tomb Tipu Sultan, which is located at the Gumbaz mausoleum at Srirangapatna. The tomb also houses the bodies of his father Hyder Ali, and his mother Fakr-Un-Nisa.

Input from Deena D’Silva/101Reporters

Virajpet MLA KG Bopaiah, 21 others detained

The police detained Virajpet MLA KG Bopaiah and 21 other leaders for obstructing Tipu Jayanti celebrations being organised by the area’s taluk administration,

Input by Coovercolly Indresh/101Reporters

 RECAP: Madikeri faces Tipu Jayanti turmoil every year

Madikeri, which serves as the Kodagu district headquarters in Karnataka, has dealt with turmoil every November since 2015 , when former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah announced that the state would celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan.

The then-Congress-led state government declared that Tipu Jayanti would be celebrated in all taluk and district headquarters of the state including Kodagu — a move which angered the native Kodavas, who believe that the 18th-century ruler carried out a massacre against their ancestors in 1785.

Many Kodava elders still claim that the Tiger of Mysore killed and captured hundreds of people from the Kodava clan between 1784 to 1799. Some have claimed that he also forcibly converted thousands of Kodavas to Islam.

All precautionary measures taken, says Kodagu DCP

“We have taken all precautionary measures,” Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu PI Srividya told news agency ANI .

“If somebody violates law and order, the police will take strict action,” she added.

Visuals of Hindu protests at Madikeri’s Omkareshwara temple

Input from Coovercolly Indresh/101Reporters

BJP leaders raise slogans after being barred from entering venue of Coorg celebrations

The Coorg district administration on Saturday stopped BJP taluk panchayat members from entering the venue where Tipu Jayanti celebrations were ongoing, as they arrived without an invitation. Madikeri MLA MP Appachu Ranjan, MLC Sunil Subramani and others even wore black clothes in protest. 

The BJP leaders strongly objected to being denied entry, and alleged they were desecrating the rights of elected representatives. The party members raised slogans against Tipu even as DC PI Srividya started the welcome address inside. Later police took the BJP workers into custody.

Input from Coovercolly Indresh/101Reporters

Tipu supporters tie flag to bridge on Bangalore-Mysore highway

Tipu Sultan fans on Saturday tied his flag of tiger strips to the aqua duct on the D Devaraj Urs (Varuna) Canal on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, near theSrirangapatna border.

Input from Deena D’silva/101Reporters

State police put on high alert in Tumkur

Police have been asked to stay on high alert in Karnataka’s Tumkur city, where Tipu Jayanti celebrations are being held at Balabavana on MG Road.

Input from Chandramouli/101Reporters

Sangh Parivar workers gather at the Omkareshwara temple in Madikeri for Shanti pooja

Input from Coovercolly Indresh/101Reporters

Over 1500 police personnel deployed, 50 checkpoints established

Amid stiff opposition from the Sangh Parivar, BJP and Kodava organisations, the district administration in Coorg has increased security measures for Tipu Jayanti celebrations. More than 1500 police personnel have been pressed into service and over 50 checkpoints have been established.

Southern range IGP  KV Sharath Chandra is in Madikeri, monitoring the situation. 

Input from Indresh C/101Reporters

Coorg’s Madikeri Thimmaiah circle deserted amid shutdown

No shops at Coorg’s Madikeri Thimmaiah circle have started operations since 8 am on Saturday. However, some KSRTC buses are plying in the area.

Input by Indresh C/101Reporters

Armed forces deployed in Tipu Sultan’s hometown Srirangapatna

No untoward incidents have been reported in Srirangapatna, the hometown of Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali. However, armed security forces have been employed in the area. 

Input from Deena D’silva/101Reporters

BJP district secretary says state govt ‘wasting public money’

News agency ANI quoted BJP district secretary Sajjal Krishnan as saying: “The government is wasting public money in the name of Tipu Jayanti. Tipu is not a warrior, he killed so many Hindus and also attacked temples. Why are they glorifying a man like him?”

Accusing the Congress of vote bank politics, Krishnan said, “everyone in Kodagu is opposing the celebrations.”

Security forces detain groups protesting celebrations

After security was increased in Karnataka’s Madikeri town in view of protests, the police began detaining protestors.

Karnataka: Various groups protesting against #TipuJayanti celebrations in Madikeri detained by police. pic.twitter.com/6RzQNgMWRk

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

Security ramped up in Karnataka in view of Tipu Jayanti

Security has been tightened in Karnataka’s Madikeri town in the light of a shutdown called in the town against Saturday’s Tipu Jayanti celebrations. The shutdown has been called by various organisations such as the BJP and the Codava National Council.

Madikeri: Security has been tightened in Madikeri in the light of a shutdown called in the town against #TipuJayanti celebrations being observed today. The shutdown has been called by various organisations, including BJP and Codava National Council. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/AjPIIAzUiN

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018