Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Nov 10: Tipu Jayanti celebration near DC's office here on Friday November 10 was marred by protest by the district BJP.
As a preventive measure, the police arrested near 50 leaders and members of the BJP.
The police led by SP Sanjeev Patil deployed heavy security at the venue, with the SP himself inspecting and reviewing the security arrangements.
Despite the heavy deployment, scores of BJP workers and leaders arrived at the spot and protested, raising slogans against the government for celebrating Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary.
The police intervened immediately and arrested nearly 50 protestors.
Among those arrested were BJP leaders Raghupati Bhat, Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, Prabhakar Poojary, Shreesha Nayak, Shyamala Sunder and Sandhya Ramesh.
District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj's absence at the programme was conspicuous and raised a few eyebrows. In his stead, Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake inaugurated the programme.
Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake addressing the gathering said, “Our country is known for cultural diversity. There are different religions, castes and cultures in India. Hindu holy book says ‘Sarve Janaha Sukhino Bhavantho’, Bible says ‘Be kind, love your enemy, Islam says, ‘peace and equality’ and Jain religion proposes ‘Ahimso Paramo Dharma’. The struggle for freedom of the nation happened through peace and non violence. Thousands of people scarified their life and ended up in prison.”
“Every country has its own history. Tipu fought against British in his time. Hence, observing Tipu Jayanti can be justified. When I was the district in-charge minster, there was no publicity of Tipu Jayanti. The opposition is criticizing the celebrations only for the sake of election. They should work towards the unification of society and not its division.
“Nowadays we can see unrest everywhere. Udupi is known for peace and harmony. Recently Paryaya Pejawar Sri Vishweshatheertha Swamiji hosted Ifthar Koota for Muslims at Sri Krishna Math to promote communal harmony. Many outfits commented over this. Such programmes should be organized every now and then. No one is aware of their religion and caste before birth. It is decided on parents’ religion.
“Our ancestors lived happily in harmony helping each other. Let it continue the same way. Let Tipu’s achievements and sacrifices remain permanent. Let us build a peaceful and harmonious society.
Resource person K Pani Raj, professor, MIT, Manipal described the history of Tipu said, “Tipu was a freedom fighter. Hyder Ali and Tipu brought many reforms in Karnataka. He abolished land lord system, and helped agriculture, water irrigation system, mechanization in war, Kannambadi Bridge, silk commission, accounting system and also improved navy to protect our state from attackers.”
“He also promoted small scale industries, introduced Chennapattana gombe (puppet), currency system and barter system. He had good knowledge on the coast and sea. He was not a king but chief minister of Mysuru. He never liked to sit on the throne. Hyder and Tipu protected Karnataka and struggled to unite of Karnataka. Tipu used to consider himself as a citizen rather than a king,” he said.
He urged the state government to launch a new commission for silk and industries.
Deputy commissioner Priyanka Marry Francis, additional deputy commissioner Anuradha, zilla panchayat CEO Shivandha Kapashi, Udupi CMC commissioner Manjunathayya, CMC president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, district superintendent of police Sanjiv M Patil, and district Congress minority division’s Ismail Athrady were present.
Assistant director of Kannada and samskrthi department Mahadevayya welcomed the gathering.
The programme began with the state anthem.
The students of Daru Salam Hoode performed ‘Daf', a traditional dance on a song sung by Umarulla Faruk Hazari Padubidri.