Bengaluru, July 30: In one of the first decisions taken by the BJP regime in Karnataka, it has abrogated the annual celebrations of 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday ordered that the state government would no longer observe Tipu Jayanti.

Yediyurappa, while speaking to reporters, said the decision to discontinue Tipu Jayanti celebrations was finalised at the state cabinet meeting held on Monday. Tipu Sultan Jayanti: 5 Facts on Mysore Ruler Known for Inventing World's First War Rockets

The BJP, during its stint as the state's Opposition for the last six years, has consistently opposed the annual Tipu Jayanti celebrations, calling it the commemoration of a ruler who "massacred" scores of Kannadigas.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, under whose tenure the state began celebrating Tipu Jayanti, denied the BJP's allegation against Tipu, saying that the late Mysore king's tenure witnessed communal harmony, and he was the first among Indian rulers to have rebelled against the British

Siddaramaiah reiterated the point on Tuesday as he marked his dissent against the BJP's decision to abrogate Tipu Jayanti celebrations.

" I only started Tipu Jayanti celebrations. According to me, he was the first freedom fighter in the country. BJP people are not secular," the Congress legislature party leader said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2019 03:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).