RSS to support anti-Tipu agitation on November 10

He alleged that Tipu was “neither a patriot nor a war hero – he fought the British to save his kingdom and not as an act of patriotism”.

Speaking to reporters here, he said “he (Tipu) being called a fanatic or claims that he converted Hindus is baseless”.

Even as Sangh Parivar outfits in Karnataka have threatened to disrupt the first ever government celebration of 18th century king Tipu Sultan’s birthday on November 10, RSS today described him as “the most intolerant ruler” and lent its support to protesters of the event. He didn’t do any such thing, instead he contributed to Sringeri Mutt, Nanjanagudu and Ranganatha Swami Temples. “Only a secular person can do it. So, government has made a decision to celebrate Tipu Sultan Jayanti”. He was killed in May 1799 while defending his fort of Srirangapatna against the British forces.

BJP has accused CM Siddaramaiah of trying to appease the minorities with the celebrations and has also opposed the setting up of a university named after the ruler, reports The Times of India. “In a way, the freedom struggle began with the Mysore wars between Tipu and the British”, said Siddaramaiah, adding that the opposition to the celebration of the former Mysore ruler’s birth anniversary is an agenda of communal forces. The 66 year old Kshetreeya Sanghachalak for the RSS said the word communal intolerance was being preached by a section of the intelligentsia which is not ready to accept any other point of view and is blaming the “nationalists” for every incident. It is an attempt to disturb harmony in the society, ” said Siddaramaiah, who hails from the Mysore region.

“You can go through recorded history, his own statements, and what was written on his sword”.

To a query, Nagaraj said RSS would not hold demonstrations, but support protesters and agitators.

Veteran Kannada writer, researcher and historian M Chidananda Murthy said government’s move to celebrate Tippu Jayanti has to be condemned.