Saffron Brigade Activists Against Tipu Jayanti Celebrations in Karnataka.
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
The violent clashes
between the supporters and opponents of Tipu Sultan in Karnataka only proved
that right wing forces are bent upon pushing their ‘Hate’ agenda despite
suffering a humiliating defeat in Bihar assembly polls. It does not augur well
for India that aims at enhancing its global attractiveness by projecting herself
as a mature democracy based on principles of secularism. What is most
astonishing in the entire episode is the total indifference being exhibited towards
the reputed historians who have been constantly reminding anti-Tipu forces with
evidences that he was neither a tyrant nor unjust ruler. Rather, he was the
first to read correctly the true intentions of the British and launched a
crusade against them. His endeavor to oust the British lasted till he dropped
dead after fighting like a Lion.
Martyr Tipu who is being Branded as Tyrant
210 years after His Death.
Karnataka people have always revered Tipu as the first martyr of
Indian freedom movement. No one ever raised any objection on his credentials as
a rule. He enjoyed tremendous popularity among people of all faith. His shrine
draws huge crowd near Mysore. The first attempt to tarnish his image was initiated
only two years ago. A similar furor was
witnessed when the government decided to establish a central university near Mysore
and name it after Tipu. The separatist forces like Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)and
Bajrang Dal raised similar hue and cry when the state government declared to
celebrate his 216th birth anniversary today. As an outcome of the
atmosphere vitiated over the issue in the past few days, certain pockets of
Karnataka witnessed clashes that left one VHP activist dead.
It may be debatable
whether the government declared to celebrate Tipu Jayanti to woo voters of a
particular community but can anyone answer why opening of the university with
his name was opposed two years back or what wrong the departed soul of Tipu did
that he has suddenly become a villain from a great martyr. Obviously there are
elements who wish to garner political advantage by raking up the issue. They
are deliberately ignoring the pleas of historians who have tried to convince
them by asking them to recall certain aspects of Indian history.
The statement of Prof.
N.S. Rangaraju, retired professor of history from the University of Mysore, is
worth quoting here. He told media “those opposing Tipu Sultan do not have
adequate historical knowledge of the ruler. He is the only ruler who fought the
British opposing their imperialism and died valiantly. Religious conversion was
not something unique only to Tipu Sultan and existed in India since historical
times. There was large scale conversion to Buddhism during the period of Asoka
in 2nd Century B.C., while Hinduism got State patronage during the Gupta era
from 4th Century A.D. to 6th Century A.D. In later centuries, Sri
Ramanujacharya converted Bittideva of Hoysala dynasty from Jainism to Sri
Vaishnavism and he assumed the name of Vishunvardhana,”. Rangaraju also pointed
out that incidents of conversion cannot be the only criterion to judge Tipu
Sultan. There are records that he helped Sringeri Mutt against Hindu Maratha
raiders, contributed to the maintenance of Sri Ranganathswamy temple at
Srirangapattam and Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud.
Ignoring the protests,
Karnataka government went ahead with the Jayanti. The Chief Minister called Tipu
Sultan in the assembly as a folk hero and charges against him were baseless. Going
by the remarks of Professor Rangaraju and historical facts outlined by
him, The Chief Minister appears to be correct. May God also give good sense to his
opponents to appreciate the qualities of Tipu? They should not unearth
controversial parts of our illustrious history of tolerance. Rightists need to remember
only one thing that their such attempts will only manufacture riots that India
can’t afford at this juncture. (Photo Courtesy-Google Image)
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