Girish Karnad Gets Death Threat for Tipu Comment, Apologises

He wrote: “If anybody has been hurt by my remarks, I apologise…”

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered a probe by the Regional Commissioner of Mysuru division into the violence that erupted over the holding of the birth anniversary celebrations of 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan. Sources said, the person who threatened Karnad has been identified but he claimed that he never posted any derogatory remarks against the Jnanpith awardee on twitter. The CM was forced to abandon Karnad as the opposition criticised Siddaramaiah for not rebutting Karnad immediately at the function itself.

Addressing mediapersons here on Wednesday, Mutalik said, a day after Karnad had stoked a controversy, he has appoligised for his remarks against Kempegowda. “It was a mistake”.

“I’m aware what I’m saying now will be debated…as we know Kolkata airport is named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Mumbai airport is named after Shivaji Maharaj, but in Karnataka we have named it after Kempegowda”, Karnad said.

Siddaramaiah additionally stated there was no query of renaming Kempegowda worldwide Airport. Karnad had recommended that the Kempegowda worldwide Airport be renamed after Tipu Sultan.

“It is true that Kempegowda was great, he founded Bengaluru”. By stating that Kempegouda was not a freedom fighter, Karnad had shown that he was intolerant and had violated the provisions of Article 48. “Instead, it should have been named against Tipu Sultan”.

BJP, JD(J) and numerous Kannada outfits slammed Karnad’s remarks on naming the worldwide airport after Kempegowda. “His remarks are unfortunate and condemnable”, state’s senior BJP leader R Ashoka told reporters here. Karnad’s remarks have been an insult to Kempegowda and an try and tar his picture, he stated, including, all the movie business condemned it.

Unheeding protests including a Kodagu bandh on Tuesday, chief minister Siddaramaiah had announced his government would go ahead with the celebrations.

Tipu was killed in a battle with the British army in 1799 while defending his fort at Srirangapatna near Mysore, about 120km from Bengaluru.

Tagging Tipu a “tyrant” and a Hindu hater, BJP declared total boycott of the event.