Sait opposes clampdown on Tipu Jayanti

NT Correspondent

Mysuru, Nov 1

Senior Congress leader and Narashimaraja MLA Tanveer Sait on Wednesday said the government should not prevent people from celebrating birth anniversaries of their leaders citing law and order situation.

While speaking at the Tipu Jayathi function organized at Apna Ghar in Bannimantap, Sait said that Tipu Sultan had banned liquor, gambling and prostitution, but promoted Mysuru Silk and Sandal, the Channapatna Dolls and other cultural and traditional activities.

“This shows his love and respect for all the religions and communities and their culture and traditions. We use the words pani, patta and darkas which were introduced during his rule. I request the government to act according to the constitution and not prevent people from celebrating the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter,” he said.

Stating that the Mandya police had enforced prohibitory orders at Srirangapatna Town, Sait said that the orders have affected the tourists. “Tipu’s fort and surrounding places are tourism and worship places and prohibitory orders have badly affected tourist flow. We had never asked any government to celebrate Tipu’s Jayanti. We request the government to allow the people to celebrate their leader’s birth anniversary and not to play with their sentiments. It is our duty to remember the freedom fighters who laid down their lives fighting to protect their people,” he said.

Urilinga Peddi Mutt seer Jnanprakash Swami and former corporator Suhail Baig were present.