Madikeri, Nov 10: A Sangh Parivar sponsored protest against the birth anniversary celebration of Tipu Sultan in Madikeri took a violent turn on Tuesday claiming the life of an agitator and injuring dozens of others.
A youth was also injured in firing by some unidentified persons near here, police said, adding that prohibitory orders have been clamped in the entire Kodagu district and additional reinforcements sent to the area to bring the situation under control.
Police used tear gas shells and resorted to lathicharge as hundreds of people gathered here and clashes erupted between the opponents and supporters of the celebrations.
According to police, one Kuttappa, a VHP leader and a former state government employee, suffered head injuries in stone throwing and died on the spot.
Violent Protest
The protest was organised without prior permission by the activists of Bharatiya Janata Party and other Hindutva groups to counter the Tipu Jayanti celebration by Kodagu district administration.
However, amidst the violence, the Tipu Jayanti celebration scheduled to take place at the Town Hall, here, was reportedly cancelled.
It is learnt that the protesters, tried to gherao those who were heading for Tipu Jayanti, which led violence. Soon it took a communal tinge and anti-Tipu protesters started raising anti-Muslim slogans.
Dozens of people suffered injuries in the clash and stone pelting by miscreants.
Police resorted to baton-charge and also lobbed tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
Two deaths
Meanwhile, a VHP leader identified as Kuttappa, died in hospital after he suffered injuries during the clash. Rumours and messages, stating that VHP activist was murdered during anti-Tipu protest, began to spread on social media.
(The dead body of Raju, who fell off a hospital building)
Meanwhile, 50-year-old Raju, who had claimed a nearby hospital building to watch violence, fellow off and succumbed to his injuries. It is learnt that he was not part of the protest. However, large number of Hindutva activists gathered outside the hospital, where his body was kept.
Youth Shot
Following the death of a VHP activist, unidentified persons shot a Muslim youth, reportedly identified as Shahul (25). He was seriously injured and shifted to Mysuru for treatment, sources said.
Pre-planned violence?
The violence flared up even as statewide celebrations are being held by the government for the first time to commemorate the birth anniversary of Tipu which, however, is being boycotted by BJP amidst opposition by several outfits who see him as a "religious bigot".
Some outfits in Kodagu district had called for a bandh today to protest against the government's decision.
Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara said additional reinforcements were being rushed to Madikeri from Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts and appealed to people to maintain peace.
BJP has announced a "total boycott" of the celebrations, saying that no public representative from their party at any level would participate in the official function.
Further, the party's state unit chief Prahlad Joshi said that Tipu was a "fanatic" and "anti-Kannada".
Several organisations and individuals, too, have opposed the state government's move to celebrate 'Tipu Sultan Jayanti' on November 10.
Tipu was a ruler of the erstwhile kingdom of Mysore and considered an implacable enemy of the British East India Company. He was killed in May, 1799, while defending his fort of Srirangapatna against British forces.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has defended the government's decision to commemorate his birth anniversary even as he slammed RSS and "other communal forces" for opposing it.
Mangaluru United Christian Association, too, has protested against the celebrations, alleging that Tipu was responsible for the destruction of many churches in the coastal region and also that Christians were harassed under his rule. More details are awaited.
Also Read:
Madikeri: Muslim youth shot in retaliation for the death of VHP leader?
Protesters try to disrupt Tipu Jayanti in Mangaluru; dozens detained
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