A tight blanket of security was ensured in Karnataka on Saturday taking account of the shutdown called and protests in Kodagu district's Madikeri against observing Tipu Jayanti celebrations.
The shutdown has been called by various organisations, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Codava National Council. Section 144 will come into place in the cities of Hubli and Dharwad as well as the district of Kodagu from 6 am on Saturday till 7 am on Sunday.
The Karnataka government has decided to celebrate the event to mark the birth anniversary of the controversial 18th-century ruler of erstwhile Mysore kingdom, Tipu Sultan. However, state chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said that he will not participate in the celebrations and has cited health reasons for his absence.
Speaking to news agency ANI, BJP District Secretary Sajjal Krishnan alleged that the celebrations were nothing but vote bank politics. He added the state government is wasting public money in the name of celebrations.
"Government is wasting public money in the name of Tipu Jayanti. Tipu is not a warrior, he killed so many Hindus and attacked temples. Why are they glorifying a man like him? This is vote bank politics. Everyone in Kodagu is opposing the celebrations," said Krishnan.
The celebrations themselves have once again become a raging issue in his state with the BJP labelling it as a means of appeasing Muslims.
Here are the live updates:
# It can't be an insult. Karnataka CM and Deputy CM are occupied with their issues. We are also part of the govt. I don't agree with my friend Tanveer Sait: DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Minister on Sait's statement, 'CM and Deputy CM not attending Tipu Jayanti celebrations an insult to the community'
# To hold a state govt event on Tipu Sultan Jayanti who is a symbol of hatred, is surprising. We want to ask Congress how the one who destroyed Churches and temples and killed thousands of Christians and Hindus, is praised in a state govt event, asks Union Minister Prakash Javadekar
# I have information that Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy couldn't attend the Tipu Jayanti celebrations due to health issues. Deputy CM G Parameshwara also couldn't attend. Somewhere it seems like it's an insult to the community. There's no doubt about it: Congress MLA Tanveer Sait
# Police have detained BJP workers led by BJP MP Prahlad Joshi heading towards Mini Vidhana Soudha to protest against Tipu Jayanti.
# Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who was slated to inaugurate the state celebrations, did not make it to the event. "Parameshwara had few prior engagements due to which he had to visit Singapore," said Minority Welfare Minister Khan.
# Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and Culture Minister Jayamala of the Congress were also part of the celebrations, although its alliance partner -- Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) -- stayed away from the state-sponsored event.
# Security has been tightened around the assembly building in Bengaluru, and in Mysuru, Kodagu and Mangaluru to maintain peace, a police officer said.
# "Government is observing the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan all over the state. Tipu`s progressive measures in administration, his quest for innovation are commendable. The Chief Minister is taking rest on doctor`s advice, and hence is unable to take part in the programme. It is far from truth that he isn`t taking part due to the fear of losing power, as he opposes such blind beliefs," a statement from Kumaraswamy`s office said.
# Police have detained BJP workers led by BJP MP Prahlad Joshi heading towards Mini Vidhana Soudha at Hubli in Dharwad district to protest against Tipu Jayanti celebrations.
# Karnakata Minister DK Shivakumar joined Tipu Jayanti celebrations at Vidhana Soudha
#Karnataka: #Visuals from outside Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace in Bengaluru. #TipuJayanthi pic.twitter.com/K8kahavhOZ
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018
# Minutes after Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kodagu PI Srividya said that all precautionary measures were taken on security arrangements and police will take strict action against those who violate law and order, BJP workers raised slogans in the premises of the DC's office protesting against the celebrations. "We have taken all precautionary measures. If somebody violates law & order the police will take strict action," said Srividya.
Madikeri: BJP workers raise slogans in the premises of the Deputy Commissioner's office protesting against #TipuJayanthi celebrations being held there. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/VC4k1IPV3Y
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018
# Karnataka Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan met former CM Siddaramaiah at his residence in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan met former CM Siddaramaiah at his residence in Bengaluru today. #TipuJayanthi celebrations are being observed by the state govt today. pic.twitter.com/IakUU4o8zQ
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018
# Taking to Twitter, Karnataka BJP tweeted, "CM @hd_kumaraswamy Missing! While Cong-JDS govt is celebrating a tyrant Tippu, the CM himself goes into hiding, what is the point of celebrating a fanatic when CM himself abandons a govt function. Glorifying a mass murderer just for vote bank clearly shows mindset of this govt. Their is lot of similarities between Congress & Tippu: Both were anti Hindu, Both believed in suppressing Hindus, Both were responsible for Killing of Hindus, Both believed in minority appeasement, Both wanted to divide Hindus. No wonder Congress is worshipping tyrant Tippu."
# Various groups protesting against Tipu Jayanti celebrations at Madikeri in Kodagu district of Karnataka detained by police. Security has been tightened in the light of a shutdown called in the town. The shutdown has been called by various organisations, including BJP and Codava National Council.
# Speaking to news agency ANI, BJP District Secretary Sajjal Krishnan alleged that the celebrations were nothing but vote bank politics. He added the state government is wasting public money in the name of celebrations. "Government is wasting public money in the name of Tipu Jayanti. Tipu is not a warrior, he killed so many Hindus and attacked temples. Why are they glorifying a man like him? This is vote bank politics. Everyone in Kodagu is opposing the celebrations," said Krishnan.
# Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy will not participate in controversial Tipu Jayanti celebrations and has cited health reasons for his absence. According to news agency ANI, Kumaraswamy has been advised rest for three days, till Monday, by his doctors and therefore, won't be part of the celebrations on Saturday.
