Bengaluru, November 5: As politics over celebrations on Tipu Jayanti heats up, the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka on Monday announced to ban all processions for or against programmes to mark the birth anniversary of the 18th-century ruler of Mysore on November 10. The state government on Saturday decided to celebrate Tipu Jayanti despite strident opposition from the BJP.

"The government will celebrate Tipu Jayanti, but all processions, both for and against, have been banned," deputy chief minister and senior Congress leader G Parameshwara told news agency ANI. The state government requested the central government to send ten companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) to maintain law and order on Tipu Jayanti, Parameshwara added. 1,000 'War Rockets' of Tipu Sultan Found in Karnataka Fort.

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.

While the state government considers Tipu Sultan a freedom fighter, the BJP and RSS term celebrations as 'minority appeasement'. The Congress started the practice to celebrate Tipu Jayanti in 2014. In 2015, Hindu outfits clashed with Muslim groups in Madikeri town of Kodagu district. Two people lost their lives in the clashes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 05, 2018 01:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).