Karnataka: Hegde steers clear of Tipu row

Hubballi: The state government is facing fresh trouble over its Tipu Jayanti celebrations scheduled for November 10 with Union Minister of State for Skill Development, Anant Kumar Hegde, writing to the Chief Secretary not to mention his name in the invitation cards of the departments and district administrations organising these events.

The five-time MP and hardcore RSS member had written a similar letter to the Uttar Kannada district administration in the run -up to the Tipu Jayanti celebrations last year too. Many senior BJP leaders have come out in his support, claiming the celebrations are a political gimmick to help the Congress government  impress the minorities ahead of  the 2018 Assembly elections. 
 
Two years ago the Tipu celebrations had sparked violence  in the state, but the government appears unfazed and is keen on holding them again this year. Already upset by the killing of members of saffron outfits in the state, the BJP plans to intensify  its agitation against the celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of the Tiger of Mysuru, Tipu Sultan.

It believes they will only encourage jihadi elements and organisations like the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Karnataka Forum for Dignity.  

"The BJP has always opposed celebrating  Tipu Jayanti. We cannot tolerate such programmes being held for an anti-national leader, who was against Kannada language. Our party will ban his birth anniversary celebrations if it comes to power," BJP leader, Prahlad Joshi said in Hubballi.