Unyielding Siddu govt to celebrate Tipu Jayanti on Nov. 10 this year too

Bengaluru, Oct 7: The Karnataka state government led by Siddaramiah has decided to officially celebrate Tipu Sultan Jayanti across the state on November 10 this year too, in spite of the controversies surrounding the maiden event last year.

Having faced flak from various quarters, the government however this time has shifted the responsibility of organizing the event from the minorities department to the department of Kannada and culture. Instead of Vidhana Soudha, the event will organized at Ravindra Kalakshetra. The aim is to make the event a low-key affair and free of controversies, officials said.

SR Umashankar, incharge secretary, Kannada and culture department, said: "A sum of Rs 60 lakh has been earmarked for organizing Tipu Jayanti celebrations in all districts. The date was fixed after consulting historians and academics as there was confusion over his birthday."

The 18th century Mysore ruler was in the midst of a storm last year after the Congress government decided to celebrate his 266th birth anniversary for the first time. There was outrage in Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and parts of Kerala where a section of people these days consider Tipu a tyrant, leading to violence which cost three lives.

The BJP and saffron outfits had alleged that the government's move was politically motivated to appease minorities.

The previous BJP government also did something similar when it introduced Basava, Valmiki and Kanakadasa Jayantis and declared some as public holidays. While taking part in the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations held last year for the first time, Siddaramaiah had declared Vishwakarma Jayanti would also be celebrated from this year.