Don't invite me for Tipu Jayanti celebrations: Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde

BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Skill Development Ananth Kumar Hegde on Saturday wrote a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's secretary and District Collector of Uttara Kannada district asking them not include his name in Tipu Jayanti celebration that will held on November 10.

Reacting to Hegde's letter, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, "As part of the govt, he shouldn't have written it. Invitations for Tipu Jayanti celebration will be sent out to all Central and state leaders, it's up to them to accept or reject."

It is being made into a political issue. There were 4 wars against British & Tipu fought them all: Karnataka CM on Tipu Jayanti celebration pic.twitter.com/omBFJJcUSz

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2017

After witnessing major clash in 2015 in state over the celebrations of Tipu Sultan Jayanti, the Karnataka Government last year decided to make the event an annual affair.

The decision was taken by the government, based on inputs and detailed discussions held with historians and academicians. The event will be organised at the Ravindra Kalakshetra.

The Congress government views Tipu Sultan as a patriot, who fought against the British. However, the BJP and the RSS views are completely different from those of the state government, who regard Tipu Sultan as a tyrant monarch and for his biasness against Hindus.

Three people lost their lives in clashes in Kodagu in 2015 after outrage by anti-Tipu Sultan activists calling him a tyrant. 

Other reactions included BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje, who accused the government of vote-bank politics.

Tipu was anti-Kannada & anti-Hindu, all the Kannadigas are opposing it (Tipu Jayanti celebration): BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/ZdOcZj5Vau

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2017