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A fresh political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after a Congress lawmaker decided to demand the reinstatement of government sponsored celebrations for the birth anniversary of the eighteenth century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan. Shivanand Kashappanavar the Congress MLA representing the Hungund constituency has announced his intention to move a calling attention motion in the upcoming assembly session regarding this issue. The proposal has immediately drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party which has long opposed the glorification of the controversial ruler.
The controversy dates back to previous tenures when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah first introduced the official celebration of Tipu Jayanti. The decision at that time led to widespread protests particularly in the Kodagu district where violent clashes resulted in the death of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad worker. Following a change in government the BJP administration officially scrapped the state sponsored events citing the ruler's divisive legacy and historical allegations of religious persecution. The celebrations had since been reduced to private observances before eventually being discontinued as a state function.
Kashappanavar has argued that the previous BJP leadership engaged in hypocrisy regarding the issue. He claimed that senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa had once dressed in attire resembling that of Tipu Sultan and participated in celebrations when it was politically convenient. The Congress MLA insisted that while the opposition might now reject the idea his party remains committed to honoring the historical figure He stated that a formal proposal has been submitted and the state government's response is awaited.
The opposition reaction was swift and aggressive with Leader of Opposition R Ashoka mocking the proposal.He remarked sarcastically that the ruling party was free to celebrate Tipu Sultan or even figures like Osama bin Laden and the independence day of Pakistan if they wished as it would only reveal their true mindset to the public.Meanwhile Housing and Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan noted that followers of Tipu Sultan continue to celebrate the occasion privately across the country. This renewed push by the Congress MLA threatens to once again bring the sensitive ideological battle over history to the forefront of Karnataka politics.
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