Udupi, Nov 10: The Udupi police on Friday arrested several BJP leaders and activists who tried disrupt peace by staging illegal protests against Tipu Jayanti celebrations.
As the programme started at the District Offices Complex Hall, here, BJP leaders and activists started shouting slogans and tried to enter the programme hall. Later, they were arrested and released.
Inaugurating the Tipu Jayanti, Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake, said that Tipu Sultan was a freedom fighter who had fought against the British. He also released a booklet “Mysuru Huli Tipu Sultan” brought out by the Department of Information on the occasion.
Mr. Sorake said that a few years ago, when the State government began celebrating Tipu Jayanti, there were hardly any protests. But they had intensified in the last two years only because of political reasons and also because the Assembly elections were approaching.
It was essential that all communities lived in harmony with one another in the country. It was with that intention that the Pejawar seer had held an Iftaar in the Anna Brahma Hall of Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple complex a few months ago.
Even that was criticised by some forces. These forces were trying to divide society and portray the minority communities in a poor light.
It was the philanthropist and founder of Corporation Bank, Haji Abdulla Saheb (1882-1935), who had provided camphor for the Lakshadeepotsava of Sri Krishna Mutt when there was heavy rain in the temple town.
Such incidents of harmony and peaceful co-existence should not be forgotten. It was the duty of all countrymen to remember those who had fought for the Independence of the country, Mr. Sorake said.
Delivering a special lecture, K. Phaniraj, writer, said that it was Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan who were responsible for giving interest free loans to farmers. They had also improved the irrigation system of the region under their control to help farmers.
They were responsible for the development of tanks in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. They were responsible for bringing in the system of weights and measures. They introduced accounting in the granaries of the State.
It was the dream of Tipu Sultan to build a federation of states in the country. Hence, he had a tie-up with the French and obtained rocket technology. He was inspired by the French Revolution and called himself “Citizen Tipu”, Prof. Phaniraj said.
Meenakshi Bannanje, president of the Udupi City Municipal Council, Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner, and others were present.
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