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

Tipu Sultan  pinterest.com

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,  the early British rulers  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.  What the Colonists did in the past, the Congress and other clowns were repeating it now to gain power by fomenting trouble between peaceful communities.  Many political commentators  are of the view that when it comes to appeasement of minorities for their votes, no Indian party can challenge  the grand old party - Congress that lost its sheen long ago. Once they commanded respect among the people, now their name is at the rock bottom. 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, the ruler of Mysore in the 18th century. 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 him? 

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 in Kerala as well. On November 6, 2015  UCA held a protest outside the deputy commissioner’s office in Mangalore against Tipu along with some Hindu organizations. 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. Thet form one of the oldest Christian communities in India dating back to several centuries far before the arrival of Europeans in India.  In 2016, to  avoid  controversies and criticism, the dept. of Kannada and culture took the responsibility of celebrating Tipu Jayanthi  under the aegis of the Dept. of Minority Affairs.  A sum of  Rs.60 lakh was earmarked for celebrations and it will be a low-key affair and 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 (please refer to:  https://www.opindia.com/2019/10/the-legacy-of-tipu-sultan-here-is-why-mandyam-iyengars-of-karnataka-observe-diwali-as-a-day-of-mourning/) and imprisonment of a large section of Mangalore Christians  (Vide:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Captivity_ of_Mangalorean_Catholics_at_Seringapatam) 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, some argue.  However, many historians question Tipu Sultan's attitude toward other faiths.  

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 favor 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.  https://www.oneindia.com/india/where-does-karnataka-stand-tipu-jayanti-majority-give-a-thumb-down-2677821.html?utm_source=articlepage-Slot1-2&utm_medium=dsktp&utm_campaign=similar-topic-slider
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/tipu-responsible-for-destruction-of-temples/article7853765.ece