Shahid Rafi’s son, Tipu Sultan’s descendants at BSR rally

The Badavara Sramikara Party (BSR) of S Sreeramulu on Sunday attempted to attract Muslim voters by inviting Shahid Rafi, son of Bollywood singing legend Mohammed Rafi and Anwar Ali Shah, 6th descendent of Tipu Sultan, on the occasion of minority convention held in Davangere on Sunday.

Shahid Rafi has set up Mohammed Rafi Music Academy to teach Indian classical and contemporary music for young musicians from economically marginalised groups. He was in news in last September for challenging Lata Mangeshkar to prove her claim of apology from Mohammed Rafi. Lata had said that senior Rafi had apologised in writing over a quarrel many years ago. Shahid challenged her to produce the letter or to offer an apology.

Anwar Ali Shah lives in Kolkata where the British took Tipu’s children, fearing revolt in Srirangapatna and made arrangements for them to stay permanently. Anwar, a rickshaw puller, has been in news after he was recognised by West Bengal government as descendent of Tipu. He has been in touch with B Sriramulu since 2008.  He had attended mass marriage ceremony of poor Muslims organised by Sriramulu, who was health and family welfare minister then.