BJP at loggerheads with Karnataka govt over Tipu Sultan Jayanti

Bengaluru: Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Karnataka in the wake of protests by BJP and other right wing organisations against the state government sponsored event.   

Bengaluru Commissioner of police  said more than 11,000 police personnel including officers and Home Guards would be deployed in the city and all precautionary measures had been taken to avoid any untoward incidents. 

Talking to newsmen here today, he said that 20 Central Armed Reserve and 30 KSRP platoons have been deployed besides civil police to maintain peace.       

Meanwhile, thousands of police personnel will be deployed across the state, especially in 10 districts where trouble was expected.Ban orders under Section 144 of CrPC has been clamped in Kodagu,Mangaluru, Mysuru, Bengaluru urban and other districts as BJP and other organisations have planned protest rallies against celebrating of Tipu Jayanti.

The BJP alleged that the JDS-Congress government in Karnataka was sponsoring Tipu Jayanti with an eye on minority votes with 2019 Lok Sabha election fast approaching. The BJP leaders allege that it was wrong on part of the government to celebrate Tipu Jayanti as he was a 'bigot' forcefully converted Hindus and Christians into Islam during his rule in the 19th century.

BJP and other organisations have called for 'Madikeri Bandh' in Kodagu district to oppose celebration of Tipu Jayanti. Last year the hilly town witnessed disturbances allegedly caused by miscreants who had come from neighbouring Kerala.  Right wing organisations like Bajarang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Hindu Jagarna Vedike and Kodava Samaja have extended support to the bandh call.(UNI)