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Members of the United Christian Association, Mangaluru, staged a demonstration here on Friday protesting against the government’s move to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, on the ground that the late Mysuru ruler had allegedly harassed thousands of Christians and killed some of them.

Instead of provoking the sentiments of people, the government should work towards bringing peace in society and bridge the gap between communities, the association said.

The association said that Christians in coastal Karnataka, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and surrounding areas had suffered immensely during Tipu’s rule. It alleged that the ruler had kept over 80,000 Christians under captivity and killed many of them. He had also destroyed many churches during the period. Of the 80,000-odd Christians who had been captured and taken to Srirangapatna, only about 20,000 returned, the association said.

The government’s proposal to celebrate Tipu’s birth anniversary would add insult to the injury that the Christian community had suffered, the association said. The government should not have ventured into such an act where a communal ruler was being glorified, it said.

The association said, “This is a history which the Christians do not want to recall. Even the government should not attempt to play with the sentiments of the people by celebrating the anniversary. If the government does not cancel the celebration, the association would intensify the protest.”

It urged the government to cancel the celebrations. The members later submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner. M.R. Prabhu, Marian D’Sa, Alban Menezes, and Maurice Shantipura were present.

‘Govt. should work towards bringing peace in society instead of provoking people’

‘Tipu responsible for destruction of temples’

Members of the district unit of the Karnataka Gaurava Samrakshana Samiti staged a dharna in front of the Clock Tower here on Friday opposing the State government’s decision to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan on November 10.

Addressing the protesters here, Rajashekharananda Swami of Gurupura Vajradehi Mutt said that it was baffling that the State government had decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan despite opposition form various quarters. “Tipu Sultan was an intolerant ruler. He was responsible for the destruction of several temples. Yet, the government wanted to celebrate his birth anniversary,” he said.

Though the people in large parts of the State were suffering drought and other problems, the government was not bothered about solving them. “The priority of Siddaramaiah government is not to solve people’s problems. Instead this government wants to celebrate birth anniversaries of controversial historical figures,” the seer said.

Robert Rosario, member of United Christian Association, Mangaluru, said that Tipu Sultan was responsible was for destruction of many churches in the Coastal region during his rule. He also committed atrocities on Christians.

It made sense to celebrate the Gandhi Jayanti and birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh as they had contributed to the Independence of the country.

“What is the need for celebrating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan? He was responsible for destroying places of worship of Christians and Hindus. The English media is silent on this issue,” he said. Dinesh Ganiga, president of district unit of the Samiti, was present.