From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 5: Even as the national and state BJP leaders as well as Hindu religious leaders are demanding construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya even without waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision, former Karnataka Chief Minister and State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa has asked the State Government to drop the plans for holding Tipu Jayanti.

“Honour the sentiments of the people and do not stand on prestige or ego,’’ the BJP opposition leader in the State Assembly asked Congress-JD(S) coalition government’s Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

“The people’s sentiments and emotions against Tipu are strong and widespread. It is the duty of the government to honour people’s sentiments,’’ Yeddyurappa said pointing out that Tipu Sultan was a controversial person on many counts.

The BJP leader said, “Tipu Sultan was also a religious bigot. Historical records prove that he had ordered the massacre of thousands of Kodavas during his invasion of Malabar.’’

“This tyrant had also ordered the execution of Mandayam Iyengars at the temple- town of Melkote in Mandya district on the day of Deepavali festival. The reason was that these Iyengars had supported the then Maharaja of Mysore and demanded that the kingdom be given back,’’ Yeddyurappa said in a press statement.

He pointed out that thousands of Kodavas staged protest demonstration in front of French Embassy in Delhi recently. They demanded an apology from the French government for supporting Tipu in his war against natives and tribals, he said.

“I take strong exception to the statement made by Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara that the government will take action against those who oppose Tipu Jayanthi celebrations. We have every right to oppose what is blatantly wrong decision and that which is against the people’s wishes.’’

“Tipu Jayanti celebration is a new-found strategy of the Congress party as a part of its politics of minority appeasement. It is rank opportunism and vote-bank politics. If the government is so keen to honour eminent personalities from Muslim community, we have Late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam or war Hero Abdul Hamid,’’ the BJP leader said.

Yeddyurappa said it is worthwhile to recall that Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the family of Abdul Hamid who was martyred in 1965 war.

“Let the Karnataka government emulate the Prime Minister. I strongly urge the government to honour people’s sentiments and drop its decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti,’’ Yeddyurappa said.