Mangaluru, November 11: District BJP has condemned the violence that took place in Madikeri during Tipu Jayanti celebrations on November 10th and alleged that the rally organized as part of the celebration did not possess official permission.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel addressing a press meet at the district BJP office here on Wednesday, November 11th, said, peace in society has been disrupted after the announcement of Tipu Jayanti celebrations. Many incidents of violence have taken place. In the violence that took place during the Tipu Jayanti celebration rally held yesterday in Madikeri town, a VHP leader Kuttappa was killed. But, this rally was organized without permission. It should be noted that a group from Kerala had participated in the rally. We condemn this. Lapse on the part of the state government is clearly evident here.
Speaking further, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, there are two questions that arise- How was this rally allowed to be held without permission? What was the district administration and the ministers doing, despite of having information that people had arrived from different places to participate in this rally? Why they were not stopped? We are not questioning the glory of Tipu Sultan but we oppose the sudden announcement of Tipu Jayanti celebration without discussing the matter in the cabinet, said the MP.
There are records in history wherein Christian community had faced atrocities at the hands of Tipu. In the violence that occurred yesterday, VHP leader Kuttappa was killed which shows failure of the police department. In addition, the state government has given irresponsible statements saying that Kuttappa died of an accidental fall. I visited the spot and I can tell that there is no chance that such a thing happens. There are eyewitnesses to the incident who say that Kuttappa was killed due to stone throwing, said the MP.
Nalin Kumar Kateel said, BJP demands the arrest of people who had come from Kerala and all others involved in the rally who are responsible for Kuttappa’s death. Also, a compensation of Rs 25 lakhs should be given to Kuttappa’s family. We condemn the stand of CM Siddarmaiah and the Congress party on this incident. It gives rise to suspicions whether the state government is indirectly supporting such violence. The government should wake up now and ensure that such incidents do not occur again, he said.
Bandh has been called on November 13th to protest against Kuttappa’s death; the ‘Sankalpa Yatra’ of BJP, that was scheduled to be held from November 13th to 22nd, will now begin on November 14th, as the BJP would be supporting the bandh, informed the MP.
In the press meet, BJP district president Pratap Simha Nayak, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, Monappa Bhandary was present among others.
