Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde writes to Karnataka Chief Secretary, asks govt not to invite him for Tipu Jayanthi

With just hardly few days left for Tipu Jayanthi, preparations are on by the government to celebrate the day that marks the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan. Despite facing flak from the opposition, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has made his stand clear and said the government won't backtrack.

The BJP has vehemently opposed the move to celebrate Tipu Jayanthi ever since the move was proposed by former chief minister Siddaramaiah. Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde has gone a step ahead and his OSD(Officer on Special Duty) has written to the Chief Secretary of Karnataka asking the government not to invite him for the event.

Abstract of the letter:

Union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde condemns the Karnataka government's move to celebrate Tipu Jayanthi on November 10th despite opposition from the people. History says that Tipu was anti-Hindu and anti-Kannadiga. Earlier when the government had gone ahead with the move there were state-wide protests and sporadic incidents of violence was witnessed. It is unfortunate that the government still wants to glorify him and we condemn it.

I hereby would like to inform you to not mention my name in the invitee's list for Tipu Jayanthi.

Regards, Vijaykumar Torgal (OSD)

Read: 'Pakistan Supporting Their Ally In Karnataka', Alleges BJP After Pak Government Posts Video Tribute To Tipu Sultan

Recently an outfit named Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horata Samiti had demanded the Karnataka government not to celebrate Tipu Jayanthi and warned the government of demonstrations. The state administration is however not willing to heed to these threats.

Earlier in 2015, two men including a VHP leader died in the violence that broke out on Tpiu Jayanthi. But historians remain divided when it comes to debating the legacy of Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan. Former President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had described Tipu as a 'Hero Of Warfare Rocketry, in his book Wings of Fire.

More recently President Ramnath Kovind too had praised Tipu Sultan as a hero in his speech at Vidhana Soudha when a joint session was convened to mark the 60th anniversary of the state legislature. As political party's clash over the legacy of Tipu Sultan, one hopes that the dispute is settled at the earliest.