Hubli: The Karnataka Police on Friday detained more than 150 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Hubli for shouting slogans against Tipu Jayanti celebration and State government.
Speaking to ANI, Renuka Sukumar, DCP Karnataka said, “Have detained more than 150 BJP workers in Hubli protesting against Tipu Jayanti celebration.”
BJP workers take part in anti-#TipuJayanti protests in #Karnataka's Hubli & Kodagu; protesters detained by Police at both places. pic.twitter.com/i9Zz95gjEI
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2017
The BJP workers were protesting against the Karnataka government’s decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti in the state.
“At present everything is peaceful in Hubli. Tipu Jayanti is being celebrated,” added Sukumar.
Earlier in the day while protesting against the celebration, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said that the Congress-led government is worried about Tipu Sultan instead of the state’s public.
LSO READ: Tipu Jayanti celebrations: Saffronists pelted stones in Bengaluru, BJP MLA arrested
However, the Congress government views Tipu Sultan as a patriot, who fought against the British. In contrary, the BJP and the RSS views are completely different from those of the state government, who regard Tipu Sultan as a tyrant monarch for being biased against Hindus.
Karnataka: Members of Tipu Sultan United Front gather outside Bengaluru's Tipu Sultan Palace on #TipuJayanti pic.twitter.com/CyALKNpicG
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2017
After witnessing major clash in 2015 in the state over the celebrations of Tipu Sultan Jayanti, the Karnataka Government last year decided to make the event an annual affair.
“We have been celebrating Tipu Jayanti since three years and there has been no issues. It is just like observing birthdays of freedom fighters, saints and other inspirational leaders,” said Minister Umashree.
“If BJP’s elected representatives don’t want to participate, we have told district administrations to remove their names from the invitations,” she added.Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “I have instructed police to act tough against those who try to disturb communal harmony. Requests to take out protest marches and processions have been rejected. Those who try to violate the orders would be dealt with strictly.”
ANI inputs