Karnataka: Minister Qamarul Islam vows to continue Tipu birth anniversary celebrations

BENGALURU: Minorities welfare minister Qamarul Islam proved that controversy is his middle name when he described those opposing the state government’s decision to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan as people belonging to the breed of the intolerant and vowed to continue the celebrations in future.  

He told the media after felicitating descendants of Tipu Sultan at his official residence here on Wednesday: “Why this uproar over celebration of Tipu Jayanti? Aren't these critics aware that he was the first freedom fighter? Was he not a Kannadiga? Being the king, he protected Sringeri math, temple of Lord Ranganatha in Srirangapatna and Najundeshwara temple in Nanjangud. This is testimony of the fact that he was the most secular ruler of his time.”

According to him, critics are trying to mislead people by presenting distorted historical facts. “They (critics) certainly belong to the breed of the intolerant,” he added.   In response to a question, Mr Islam retorted that Tipu Sultan was the one who protected Hindu temples and maths in Karnataka, but Maratha rulers had ransacked Sringeri math, and they were Hindus. The minister claimed that the state government was also commemorating Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary because he was a Sufi saint.

Tipu Sultan’s descendants, seventh grand son-in-law Sahebjzada Syed Mansoor Ahmed, said they were happy about the state government's decision to organise celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of the erstwhile ruler of Mysuru. Mr Ahmed told the media “Of course, we are happy about it but not to our heart’s content as some people branded our ancestor as villain and in a bid to prove this, they adopted violent ways, which hurt us deeply.”

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