The Karnataka government is celebrating Tipu Jayanti on 10 November amid tight security.
Since 2015, when it was first celebrated, the 18th century ruler’s birth anniversary has always been highly politicised. While some parties are in favour of honouring the event, some have out rightly expressed their dissent.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of Art of Living, backed the celebrations of Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary. The spiritual guru said that every leader would have performed both good and bad deeds, and urged people to focus on Tipu Sultan’s good deeds. He suggested that people need to learn from his good acts.
Tipu is seen as a national hero for his contribution towards administrative innovation as well as designing rockets and other weaponry. At the same time, many have been opposing the celebrations of Tipu Jayanti, alleging that the ruler had massacred people and forced them to embrace Islam during his era.
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