Siddaramaiah defends decision on Tipu Sultan anniversary bash

Bengaluru: Defending his government's decision celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday termed opposition to it as a “conspiracy” by the RSS and other communal forces to disturb harmony in society.

Several organisations and individuals have opposed the state government's move to celebrate Tipu Sultan Jayanti on November 10, with a few threatening to disrupt the first- ever such government celebration.

“The opposition (to Tipu Jayanti) is an attempt by communal forces. Tipu Sultan was secular, he fought against British in three wars, in a sense our freedom struggle began with Mysore wars- between English and Tipu,” Mr Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

He said, “He (Tipu) being called a fanatic or claims that he converted Hindus is baseless. He didn't do any such thing, instead he contributed to Sringeri Math, Nanjanagud and Ranganatha Swami temples. Only a secular person can do it. So, government has decided to celebrate Tipu Sultan Jayanti.”

Stating that the Opposition was raising such issues without having any other issue to confront the government, Mr Siddaramaiah said, “Tipu Sultan Jayanti should have been celebrated by the government long ago, it has got delayed. This is a conspiracy by RSS and other communal forces. It is an attempt to disturb harmony in society.”