BJP will be responsible for any untoward incident during Tipu Jayanti: Karnataka govt

Bengaluru, Nov 4: Regardless of opposition from the Sangh Parivar, the chief minister H D Kumaraswamy led Karnataka state government is determined to celebrate Tipu Jayanti on November 10. With this the fight in the name of India’s legendary freedom fighter is expected to escalate ahead of the bypoll results.

"We have decided to celebrate Tipu Jayanti on November 10 in consultation with chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. BJP will be held responsible if there is any kind of untoward incident in the state on that day," said Kannada and culture minister Jayamala, following a meeting with food and civil supplies minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan here on Saturday.

Tipu Jayanti celebrations had caused a stir in the state since 2015, with clashes erupting in districts. In 2015, two people were killed in Madikeri when a group taking out a procession was stalled by VHP activists.

Last year, a (PIL) was filed in the Karnataka High Court, challenging the October 24, 2017, circular issued by the department of Kannada and culture for Tipu Jayanti celebrations throughout the state.

The HC had asked the state to file its objections to the PIL before November 2018.

However, the state failed to file objections, forcing the court to impose a fine of Rs 1,000 on the state government. The court will hear the case next on November 9.

The opposition BJP, Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horatta Samiti and some right-wing organisations have already threatened to launch a protest to oppose the celebrations. They had earlier petitioned Kumaraswamy, who had also opposed the Jayanti celebrations while in the opposition, during the previous Congress regime.

Meanwhile, some pro-Tipu Jayanti activists have also taken objection to Jayamala's statement that the BJP will be held accountable for any violence during Tipu Jayanti. "The state government and minister should ensure proper security for people to prevent any untoward incident. Her helpless statement clearly indicates that the government is anticipating violence but has no clue how to prevent it," they said.