NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry has granted seven companies of Central paramilitary forces for law and order duties to the Karnataka Government that will celebrate Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary on November 10.
The Karnataka Government had sought 16 companies (1,600 personnel) of the Central paramilitary forces for taking care of law and order during Tipu Jayanti celebrations. The BJP and RSS have opposed the move and have decided to oppose the celebrations. The RSS and BJP consider Tipu to be “tyrant.” The BJP is in Opposition in the State Assembly.
As many as 17 companies of the paramilitary were rushed in September to the State following the row over sharing of Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu. Seven companies of the Central paramilitary forces are expected to take care of any law and order situation there during Tipu Jayanti celebrations, a Union Home Ministry sources said.
The RSS and the BJP will hold a mega rally on Tuesday in Bengaluru to protest the State Government’s decision to celebrate November 10 every year as Tipu Jayanti. Some Christian organisations have also opposed the celebration of Tipu's birth anniversary as state event. The Christians believe that Tipu converted several Christians to Islam by using force during his rule.
The State Government had decided to celebrate Tipu’s birth anniversary last year and has now decided to continue the practice every year. In 2015, the celebrations resulted in violence in Kodagu district in November 2015.