Bengaluru, November 8: The Karnataka government has said that celebrations for the 18th-century king Tipu Sultan will be held on schedule despite protest by the opposition BJP. According to reports, BJP and Sri Ram Sena supporters have been protesting against the Karnataka government's move to mark November 10 as Tipu Jayanti. No Procession Allowed For or Against Celebrations, Says Karnataka Govt as Political Scene Heats up.

DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Minister on BJP's decision to oppose Tipu Jayanti celebration said, "Tipu Sultan has a long history and there is nothing wrong in conducting Tipu Jayanti. BJP has its political agenda. They want to create some differences between Hindus and minorities."

The BJP has described the Mysore king as a tyrant, and there is no need to celebrate a tyrant, and an anti-Hindu.

Earlier, Parameshwara, who holds the Home portfolio as well, said the BJP protests over Tipu Jayanti for no reason. “The BJP raises protests over Tipu Jayanti without reason. Tipu fought against the British, and we will ensure that the celebrations are held peacefully irrespective of protests by any group,” he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, minister of state for skill development and BJP leader, Ananth Kumar Hegde requested the state government not to include his name in the invitation card for Tipu Jayanti celebration event. Hegde, who claims Tipu Sultan was "against Kannada language and anti-Hindu", made the same request in 2016. He was also arrested for threatening to disrupt celebrations in Uttara Kannada district.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 08, 2018 03:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).