Bengaluru: As the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) intensifies its campaign against the "Tipu Jayanati" celebrations in Karnataka, photos of the BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and other party leaders sporting a headgear and posing with a sword, like that of the freedom fighter and martyr, has gone viral.
In the photos widely circulated in the media, BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Ministerof Karnataka, are seen dressed like the erstwhile ruler of Mysore Tipu Sultan and holding a sword like him.
Interestingly, as claimed by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Jagadish Shettar has written preface for a book on Tipu Sultan by former vice-chancellor of Mangalore University B Sheikh Ali, in which he has glorified Tipu as a ‘great freedom fighter’.
Tipu Jayanati - the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, the freedom fighter who led fierce battle against the British forces, is celebrated as a state function on November 10.
The Congress leaders in the state are using the photo to expose the saffron party and its double standard.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday tried to silence BJP which is opposing Tipu Jayanti celebration by referring to its prominent leaders taking part in the celebration in the past.
He said BJP president B S Yeddyurappa had not only taken part in the celebration when he was the KJP president but had also dressed himself as Tipu imitating the Mysore ruler’s crown and a sword.
“Did the BJP oppose it then?,” he asked on his arrival at Mangaluru Airport to launch various developmental projects.
He said the government will go ahead with Tipu Jayanti celebration and added that there is no need to seek anybody’s permission for that. “We celebrate it because Tipu was a great patriot and fought four wars against the British.”
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