Violence in Madikeri town of Karnataka over celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan !!
Week : [8-15 November]
1.The former ruler of the erstwhile Mysore state evokes intense fan following and hatred in equal measure.
2.The statewide celebrations for Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary are being held for the first time by the government.
3.Several groups allied to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have opposed the events, describing Tipu Sultan as a “religious bigot” who tormented Hindus.
4.Colonial historians have projected Tipu as a “religious bigot”, who was instrumental in killing and converting to Islam thousands of Nayars of Kerala, Catholics of Dakshina Kannada and Coorgis of Kodagu.
5.The fact is that Tipu cannot be reduced to a singular narrative or tradition of intolerance or bigotry as he represented multiple traditions. He combined tolerant inter-religious traditions, liberal and secular traditions, anti-colonialism and internationalism. He could do this as he had strong roots in Sufism, which is not explored much by historians.