In Karnataka's Raichur district, a situation of heightened tension emerged on Wednesday following an incident where a portrait of Tipu Sultan, the historical figure associated with the erstwhile reign of Mysore, was found adorned with footwear, sparking indignation within the Muslim community. Responding to this act, members of the Muslim community organized a significant demonstration in Sirwar town, amplifying their demands for the apprehension of those responsible for the disrespectful act.
The protest, characterized by its magnitude, involved the strategic blockage of traffic routes and the symbolic act of setting ablaze tires as a manifestation of their discontent. Subsequently, authorities intervened to address the grievances of the protesters, pledging to take decisive action by promising the arrest of the perpetrators within a stipulated timeframe of 24 hours. Reassured by this commitment, the protesters opted to disband their demonstration. Official procedures were initiated by lodging a First Information Report (FIR) at the Sirwar Police Station in Raichur.
This incident adds to a series of contentious episodes surrounding Tipu Sultan's legacy in Karnataka. Notably, similarly, the proposal to rename the Mysuru airport after Tipu Sultan, put forth by Congress MLA Prasad Abbayya, ignited a fierce debate within the legislative assembly. During deliberations on the state government's correspondence with the Centre regarding airport nomenclature alterations, Abbayya advocated for the renaming, provoking vehement opposition from BJP members.
The exchange underscored the enduring ideological divide between the two political factions, each laying claim to divergent interpretations of Tipu Sultan's historical significance. The controversy traces back to 2016, when the then-ruling Congress administration, led by Siddaramaiah, initiated the commemoration of Tipu Sultan's birthday on November 10, known as 'Tipu Jayanti'. However, the BJP staunchly opposed this observance and promptly discontinued the practice upon assuming power in 2019. Thus, the legacy of Tipu Sultan continues to be a flashpoint in Karnataka's political landscape, emblematic of the broader ideological contestation between the Congress and BJP.
