Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Tipu Sultan in recent years has been a very controversial figure for so many reasons, specifically in Karnataka. But, now his inclusion in the 70 portraits unveiled by Kejriwal in the Delhi Assembly has come under question. Tipu Sultan’s portrait was questioned by BJP and as an insensitive move by Kejriwal.

Tipu Sultan the controversial figure

The issue surrounding the celebration of ‘Tipu Jayanti‘ by Congress in the state created much uproar. It’s not about Tipu fighting against the Britishers, but Tipu’s conversion of an undefined number of Hindus during his reign. Therefore, communities like the Kodavas of Coorg treat him as a tyrant rather than a king, ruler or even a freedom-fighter of sorts. Therefore, when Congress in Karnataka proposed celebrating his birthday in the name of his valour and courage, it brought on much flak from the people. Riots broke out in the name of Tipu Sultan in the districts of Coorg and even Bengaluru to a certain degree. The riots caused much anger and bloodshed, specially in Coorg. The issue of Tipu Jayanti even though it came into media in 2015 is still fresh in the minds of the people in Karnataka.

Tipu’s Portrait in the Assembly

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had unveiled the portraits of 70 freedom-fighters in the Assembly on January 26.  But his inclusion of Tipu Sultan offended BJP members of the assembly. When he addressed the assembly he spoke about the increased ‘atmosphere of violence’ in the country. Tipu Sultan’s portrait was included amongst those of Rani Chennamma, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh and others. The two and a half feet long portraits include the description of the freedom-fighter as well.

BJP MLAs opposed Tipu’s portrait in the name of the row in Karnataka. It would feel much like putting salt in the wounds of the people of Karnataka. The opposition though said the BJP always tries to create controversy where there isn’t any. Ram Niwas Goel mentioned that the picture of Tipu Sultan was also included in the constitution of India. He also mentioned that BJP should much rather focus on issues of development.

The Problem

The problem isn’t really his picture so much as it is about him. We have to remember that Tipu was trying to protect an empire more than trying to protect ‘India’ which forms only after the independence struggle. His agenda is unknown to us. How many people he converted can be contested because there is no valid figure. One can perhaps see him as a freedom-fighter and one can choose not to. Tipu is a dividing figure not only in politics but among historians as well. There’s evidence that supports and defies both arguments.

Rather than throwing pot-shots at each other over the matter,  both BJP and AAP have to understand that Tipu Sultan means something to the people whether good or bad. If BJP shouldn’t go looking for controversy, AAP should have been perhaps considerate of the situation in Karnataka. Probably till History determines Tipu will remain a controversy.

By Sahitya