The Karnataka government has drawn severe flak for celebrating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan for the first time ever. What was the need to celebrate the birth anniversary of a historical figure, who had passed away more than two centuries ago? Although Tipu Sultan's place in Indian history is assured, the state government chose to mark his birth anniversary to appease a certain section of society. Jnanpith Award-winning writer Girish Karnad added fuel to fire by saying that the Bengaluru international airport should be named after the Mysore legend. His subsequent hurried apology is only an attempt at damage control. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's comment that Karnad's remark was his personal opinion and that the state government had nothing to do with it is also hogwash.
We could have done without the politicisation of Tipu Sultan's legacy. The Karnataka government or, for that matter, any other state government would do well not to fritter away taxpayers' money on inconsequential celebrations and instead use it for the welfare of the citizens. Reliving history is fine but not at a high cost.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
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