Various districts across North Karnataka remembered the contributions of Tipu Sultan during his birth anniversary celebrations held on Tuesday.

In Vijayapura, acknowledging that only awareness through education would dispel misconceptions about Tipu Sultan, MLA and newly appointed Parliamentary Secretary Makbul Bagwan, urged the government to set up chairs in the names of Tipu Sultan in every university of the State.

Speaking after inaugurating the birth anniversary programme of Tipu Sultan at the Ranga Mandir on Tuesday, he said the first of the chairs should be started from the Karnataka State Women’s University here.

“I would also bring this matter to the notice of the Higher Education Ministry at the suitable time,” he said.

He also urged the government to ensure the installation of Tipu’s portrait in all the government offices and schools in the State.

Defending Tipu

In his address, MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Raju Algur thanked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for announcing the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan as a government celebration. He criticised right-wing elements for calling Tipu anti-Hindu and anti-national.

“These elements are suffering from anti-Muslim myopia. For them every Muslim leader is anti-national and anti-Hindu. They are not looking at the tremendous contribution of Tipu for society and for becoming a living example of religious harmony,” he said.

Describing Tipu as a great freedom fighter, Mr. Algur said he was arguably the only freedom fighter who pledged his own sons to prevent Mysore from being captured by the British.

Basanna Chalavadi, Chairman of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission, said Tipu was the first ruler who offered free land for Dalits by establishing a land bank. “He was not just a great socialist but also a great administrator. And we should all remember him for this,” he said.

Writer V.M. Bagayat delivered a special lecture on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, a huge procession was taken out from Tipu Sultan Circle of the city to the Ranga Mandir in which several folk artistes, decorated tongas (horse-driven carts) and children dressed like Tipu Sultan participated.

Bidar

In Bidar, the district administration organised a lecture by resource persons, while private organisations took out a procession and organised a blood donation camp.

Umashree, district in-charge Minister, described Tipu as a great patriot. She said Tipu was a king who opposed the British, protected his subjects and developed his kingdom, adding that attempts to pigeonhole great leaders to a particular caste or religion should be resisted. She asked the youth to stay away from divisive forces.

Syed Tanveer Ahmed, Urdu writer and director of the Bengaluru-based Brainy Stars Education Society, said Tipu was an example of a life of self-respect. When many Indian kings and princes were signing treaties with the East India Company or the British, Tipu was fighting battles against them. He went on to be the first Indian king to be killed in a battle against the British, he said.

He applauded Tipu’s efforts towards research and development, and cited the example of the successful development of rockets and missiles in collaboration with the French rulers.

“Tipu called the Mysuru Kingdom as ‘Sultanat-e-Khuda dad’ (a gift from God) and never viewed it as his personal fiefdom. He introduced prohibition, and took up tribal welfare activities,” Mr. Tanveer said. As many as 135 temples were given land and cash grants by Tipu. He had several non-Muslim advisors and civil and military officers, he said. He said scholar B. Sheikh Ali had compiled and edited the Kannada works of Tipu Sultan. He was a great Kannadiga and we should be proud of him, Mr. Tanveer said.

Earlier in the procession, historian Abdul Samad Bharati said Tipu Sultan sent some funds to the American freedom fighters such as Benjamin Franklin. Mr Franklin sent a copy of the declaration of independence to Tipu Sultan, he said.

Yadgir

Minister for Textiles, Ports and district in-charge Baburao Chinchansur inaugurated the Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations jointly organised by the district administration and the Social Welfare Department in Yadgir on Tuesday.

He said Tipu was a great freedom fighter in the country. But, a few people were spreading misconceptions about him to mislead the people.

Mr. Chinchansur also appealed to the minority community to understand the history involved in the Mysore wars against British, and create awareness among the public on the sacrifices made by the great warrior.

The former Minister and MLA A.B. Maalakareddy also spoke. Marigowda Hulakal, Hanumegowda Markal, Additional DC Shivanand Karale, SP Vinayaka Patil and others were present.