Bengaluru, Nov 12: Internationally acclaimed thinker and Jnanpith awardee, Girish Karnad has received death threat by suspected HIndutva extremists for suggesting Bengaluru international airport should be named after Tipu Sultan.

“Girish Karnad will meet the same end like kalburgi if he enrages kannadigas by replacing in Kempe gouda (sic) with Tipu Sultan.” the tweet, later deleted by the user, read.
“A tweet was posted by someone with the user name Intolerant Chandra…. We are aware of the tweet and action will be taken if necessary and if a complaint is lodged,” a police officer said.
Karnad had given a written complaint on the issue.
Girish Karnad on Wednesday said that a section of media and politicians misinterpreted his speech during Tipu Jayanti to spread hatred.
Karnad said he had never meant to insult the Vokkaliga icon when he suggested the airport should have been christened after Tipu, the 18th century king of Mysuru who laid down his life in the battle field fighting the British. “I have great respect for Kempegowda and I never insulted him. I apologise if my words caused any hurt to anyone.”
Karnad had justified his view saying Kempegowda was not a freedom fighter like Tipu, angering the Vokkaligas and sparking demonstrations. The community wields immense political clout and accounts for 15 per cent of the state’s six-crore population. The Vokkaligas have termed Karnad’s remarks an “insult” to Kempegowda.



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