Karnataka Politicians resurrected Tipu Sultan from the grave - Tipu's birth anniversary

Tipu Sultan's tomb, Srirangapatna. alamy.com

Ever since the Siddaramaiah led congress coalition government announced the celebration of Tipu Jayanthi on 10 Nov. 2015 (165th birth anniversary), the great warrior, whose state emblem was Tiger has become a subject of perpetual controversy. Though he ruled Mysore for 16 long years, no doubt, he proved that he was one of the best warriors in the Indian subcontinent. Tipu put the breaks on the expansion of the East India Company that ripped of so many Maharajahs and Nawabs in the north and scooped up their lands along with valuable jewelry. Consequently, they had difficulty in getting full control over the southern region. Considering Tipu as a poisonous thorn, the British made all out efforts to get rid of him at any cost.

Tipu Sultan oneindia.com

The grudge of the people of Karnataka was that the Congress-led govt. as usual, was adding fuel to the peaceful communal situation in the state by raising the bogey of Tipu Jayanthi to get Muslim's vote. Many politicians are of the view that when it comes to appeasement of minorities for their votes, no Indian party can challenge Congress. Just like the present year, in 2015 many parts of Karnataka were reeling under drought; potable water was a problem in many places. The nethas were not concerned about the gripping water problem and the hardship being faced by the people across the state, What they did was to divert the attention of the people, now, they were trying to open the Pandora's box by kicking up controversy over the birth anniversary of Tipu. What these Congress and other parties had been doing prior to 2015 about Tipu? Did they ever allot funds to restore the rooting monuments left behind by Tipu?

Nethas dragging Tipu Sultan, Karnataka akshaychander.blogspot.com

Tipu Sultan remains a controversial figure as far as his secular credentials are concerned. The history records are not clear about Tipu's right dealing with people of other faiths. Some historians say, part of the stories were cooked up by the wily British to whom Tipu was a source of trouble. The head of Gurupura Vajradehi Mutt mentioned why the govt wanted to celebrate Tipu jayanthi (Nov. 10) in the midst of opposition from various quarters. The seer said, “The priority of Siddaramaiah government is not to solve people’s problems. Instead this government wants to celebrate birth anniversaries of controversial historical figures,” . Further he stated, “Tipu Sultan was an intolerant ruler. He was responsible for the destruction of several temples''. Robert Rosario, member of United Christian Association (UCA), Mangaluru, said that Tipu Sultan was a controversial ruler; he was responsible for destruction of many churches in the Coastal region during his rule. He also committed atrocities on Christians. On November 6, 2015 UCA held a protest outside the deputy commissioner’s office in Mangalore against Tipu along with some Hindu organization. There was outrage in Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and parts of Kerala where Tipu is considered a tyrant. He is believed to have damaged several Syrian Christian churches in Kerala. In 2016, to avoid controvercies and criticism the dept. of Kannada and culture took the responsibility of celebrating Tipu Jayanthi from the dept. of minority Affairs. A sum of rs.60 lakh was earmarked for the celebration and it will be a low-key affairand the venue will be Ravindra Kalashetra.
On the other side of the coin, many people felt that Tipu was tolerant toward the Hindus and had awarded grants to many temple. His massacre of Mandhyam Ayyangars and imprisonment of a large section of Mangalore Christians are, no doubt, aberrations in his otherwise effective rule. That Tipu had never touched the Sri Ranganathar temple opposite to his fort at Srirangapatna is itself a proof that he respected the sentiments of the Hindus.

Tipu Sultan oneindia.com

Tomb of Tipu Sultan youtube.com

Above image: The Gumbaz at Srirangapatna, Mandya district, Karnataka, a Muslim mausoleum is in the middle of a well landscaped garden. Here lie the graves of Tipu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali, and his mother Fakr-Un-Nisa. Built by Tipu Sultan to house the graves of his parents, the British allowed Tipu's burial here after his death in the Siege of Srirangapatna in 1799.................................

A survey done a few years ago pointed out: 44 per cent of the people in Karnataka opposed the decision of the Congress government to observe Tipu Jayanti. Only 32 per cent said that they supported the decision of the Congress on this issue. 44 per cent were opposed to it. However, 58 per cent Muslims said that they were in favour of the celebrations. The Karnataka High Court refused to stay the Tipu Jayanthi celebrations to be held on 10th Nov. 2017 by the Karnataka Govt. Vote bank politics drove our power-hungry nethas to stir the Hornet's nest. Caught in the murky politics is Tipu Sultan who will be waken up from his eternal and peaceful sleep and turning in his grave every time his birth anniversary comes up for celebrations.
This courageous ruler of Mysore kingdom in the 18th century still remains an enigmatic historical figure. His stature in Indian history continues to invite more historical controversies than encomiums.

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/tipu-responsible-for-destruction-of-temples/article7853765.ece