Madikeri: The two main parties in Karnataka are at logger heads with each other over Tipu Jayanthi Celebration. The congress-led government is keen on going ahead with the celebrations whereas opposition party BJP wants to stall the government move. The situation is no different in the tiny hill district where violence broke out on Tipu Jayanthi last year which ultimately resulted in the death of right wing activist.
The Congress district president T P Ramesh has requested the administration to make adequate arrangements and provide security arrangements to ensure peaceful celebrations. Addressing the media after a party workers’ meeting, Ramesh said the party is going to submit a petition to the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police to ensure peace during the celebrations and prevent political and fundamentalist organisations from fomenting communal tension.
On the other hand, BJP District President Manu Muthappa said if the government went ahead with the celebration despite widespread opposition, BJP will be forced to launch massive protests. Predicting the downfall of state congress government in the event of its decision to continue Tipu jayanthi celebrations, Manu Muthappa exemplified several past instances which had led to the downfall of famous personalities.
He recalled the “loss of 40 lives during the recording of television episodes on Tipu by renowned film director Sanjay Khan and liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s escape from the country after buying Tipus’ sword in an auction”, ‘substantiating’ his claim of an ‘imminent disaster’.
