"Let me tell you one thing, I have nothing against BJP or Congress," says T.V. Mohandas Pai, and then cuts himself short when asked about the stir he has created with his remark about Tipu Jayanthi. The technology investor and Padma Shri awardee's famous line? 'Celebrating Tipu Jayanti is like celebrating Aurangzeb's anniversary'! And it is being shared and discussed across social media platforms. Busy, but still willing to discuss his thoughts over a walk, the Chairman of Manipal Global Education tells Joyeeta Chakravorty why he opposed the state government's plan to celebrate Tipu Jayanti.
He is known for speaking his mind, but even he didn't expect the flood of support that came his way. "I was expecting a mixed reaction but some 90% of people have supported my stand against the Jayanti and have praised me for standing up. Others have shared negative remarks but that doesn't bother me." "I am an independent person and a citizen of the State and I will say what I believe in," he says taking a break from the walk.
He asks me about the history and how much I knew about Tipu Sultan? "He was a bigot and tyrant, who killed people belonging to different communities like the Kodavas and converted people to Islam. He burnt temples. There are claims that he was an Islamic fundamentalist who wanted to bring Khalistan to India," he says while taking slow and small strides.
"Siddaramaiah has become undemocratic by not looking at history. He should research and find out real history. Is he not concerned about the impact, that he could be dividing people," says the active member of BPAC. He himself is a Konkani. "I feel offended that the government is celebrating someone like Tipu. "I will continue to object to the Government that was voted into power by all of us. A Government which is supposed to take everyone together is now alienating three minorities; Kodavas, Mangalore Catholics, and Konkanis just to score brownie points?"
The controversy has already seen both BJP and RSS up in arms with RSS openly stating recently that it opposed the celebration and it would stage protests against it as the ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom was a "religious bigot and a violent sultan".
But, Pai says he is above all that and doesn't wish to take sides. "Both Congress and BJP are playing the game of politics and BJP will do the same to Hindus and oppose Muslims. But, a Government is different from a partyand hence it needs to be more careful."
His twitter account shows he has won the approval of Karnataka High Court which agrees that Tipu was a monarch and not a freedom fighter. "He fought for his kingdom without any feeling of nationality in him. There was no concept of India back then," he rues.
"Why can't they celebrate the anniversaries of benevolent rulers like the Wodeyars and Mysuru Diwan Mirza Ismail. Why can't they celebrate Sir Visveswaraya, the greatest engineer?"
"I only feel sad that the state of Karnataka in which a Government claims to be secular is playing communal politics and dividing people by honoring a killer," he says. "The Government should focus on infrastructure development and generating employment for the Muslims, but, they are taking the easy way out to woo their vote bank." Our walk is over but his thoughts now turn to Tipu Jayanti which is slated to be celebrated across the state on November 10. Pai is far from done yet!
