Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy might have skipped the controversial Tipu Jayanti celebrations to avoid being targeted by Tipu detractors, but the arrest of a journalist for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the 18th century Mysore ruler has triggered massive protests in the state.
Manipanda Santhosh Thammaiah, a journalist with Kannada daily Hosa Digantha was arrested on Monday night from Madhugiri in Tumakuru, for allegedly making a provocative speech against Tipu Sultan at a seminar organised by Prajna Kaveri at Gonikoppal in Kodagu on November 5. After reading a report on the seminar in a local newspaper, members of Muslim community staged a protest in Kodagu, demanding the arrest of Thammaiah. Askar, a resident of Siddapura village in Udupi, lodged a formal complaint with the local police station against the journalist following which Thammaiah was arrested.
In the wake of the arrest, pro-Hindu groups staged a protest and formed human chain, condemning the police action. On Tuesday, Thammaiah was released on bail. However, pro-Hindu groups called for a Kodagu bandh on Wednesday to register protest against the government, alleging attack on freedom of expression.
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Accusing the JD(S)-Congress coalition government of partisan attitude, Hindu activists claimed that while those who speak against Lord Ram and make derogatory remarks against Hindus are never arrested, those who make comments against Tipu or Islam get jailed.
In fact, three other speakers at the seminar—writer Bacharaniyanda Appanna, theatre artiste Addanda Cariappa, social activist Robert Rozario—have also been named in the FIR.
Responding to the allegations of the government silencing dissent by slapping cases against critics of Tipu Jayanti, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said he had directed the state police to keep an eye on people making derogatory or inflammatory statements against the celebrations as it was a communally sensitive issue. "We did not arrest anyone intentionally. We have no objection to criticism or commentary on Tipu. But we will not tolerate statements that are instigative," he added.
While historians, writers and political parties are clearly divided on the debate over Tipu Sultan's image as a nationalist and a religious bigot, Tipu Jayanti celebrations, introduced in 2015 by the previous Congress government led by Siddaramaiah, have triggered unrest as opposition to the state-sponsored celebrations is growing.
Congress leader C.M. Ibrahim too ridiculed Tipu Jayanti celebrations, stating that Islam did not recognise idol worship. "It hurts to see BJP politicise the issue. But Islam does not allow worshipping idols or photographs of people. There are other ways of celebrating heroes—by doing charity. I will write to the community leaders to take a decision on this matter, " said Ibrahim.
This year, as both the chief minister and deputy chief minister skipped the event, like majority of the Congress and JD(S) ministers and MLAs, there is an indication that this could be the last official celebration of Tipu Jayanti in the state.
