Bengaluru: The controversy over Tipu Jayanthi refuses to die down across south Karnataka. Noted actor and writer Girish Karnad and BJP MP from Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha seat Pratap Simha have received death threats for their remarks over Tipu Jayanthi. A cornered Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has apologised for Girish Karnad’s remarks over the founder of Bengaluru city, Kempe Gowda. Trying to maintain a distance from Karnad, he said, “I don’t agree with Karnad’s statement that Bengaluru International Airport should be named after Tipu Sultan instead of Kempe Gowda. It is his personal opinion not my government’s. I should have opposed it on the stage in his presence. I did not do that. I am sorry for that”.
A day after his statements led to a huge furore, under pressure Karnad also toned down his remarks. He apologised for his comments on Kempe Gowda saying that he was misquoted by the media. Speaking to CNN-IBN, he said, “I have never insulted Kempe Gowda. I have been misquoted. I just said that since the airport is in Devanahalli, Tipu’s birthplace, I felt that it was appropriate to name it after him. However, I apologise to the people for my remarks on Kempe Gowda”.
Meanwhile both Pratap Simha and Karnad have received death threats via Facebook and Twitter for their anti and pro-Tipu remarks. A Muslim organisation has warned Pratap that he would be killed like VHP leader Kuttappa, who died during protest against Tipu Jayanthi celebrations in Madikeri of Kodagu district. A day later, a Hindu right wing person threatened Girish Karnad with murder via Twitter. The Mysore and Bengaluru Police have registered separate cases in both incidents.
BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra has also attacked Siddaramaiah demanding his resignation. Speaking to media in New Delhi, he said, “The incidents show that intolerance is rising in Karnataka. The Congress government in Karnataka should provide security to Girish Karnad. Like New Delhi, will Congress president Sonia Gandhi march in Bengaluru against intolerance?”.
Many top leaders of the ruling Congress in Karnataka are also unhappy with Siddaramaiah over Tipu Jayanthi celebrations. They feel that it has divided the state on communal lines further and gone against the interests of the Congress. A senior Cabinet minister said “The Tipu Jayanthi celebration issue was not discussed in the state Cabinet. It was Siddaramaiah’s own decision. There was no need to go ahead with it without weighing pros and cons”.
Sensing an opportunity the main opposition BJP and other RSS affiliates have also swung into action. They are holding Siddaramaiah responsible for the riots and demanding his resignation. Even the JDS has attacked both Karnad and Siddaramaiah for the incident.
Except Kodagu district, the Tipu Jayanthi celebration went off peacefully in rest of Karnataka. The police have tightened security across Kodagu district and the life is slowly returning to normal.
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