On Tuesday, the cultural organisation Tehrik-e-Khudadad delivered a memorandum to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar via the Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi, requesting the state to resume official celebrations of Tipu Sultan Jayanti on November 10.
The appeal was presented by Mohammed Rafeeque Mulla, president of the group's Hyderabad Karnataka region. Alongside the call to restore the birth‑anniversary observance, the memorandum urged a review of school textbooks to ensure accurate representation of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali, highlighting their roles in rocket technology, administration, sericulture and manufacturing.
Eight major initiatives form the core of the organisation's proposal. Key projects include a Tipu Sultan Heritage and Science Museum at Srirangapatna and a Taramandal Centre for Applied Science and Innovation. A silk and advanced‑materials programme, a Channapatna Toys and Crafts Design Hub, an enterprise and manufacturing facilitation network, an annual Tipu Sultan Innovation Challenge, and a University of Applied Sciences, Design and Enterprise are also outlined.
Further recommendations call for scholarships, research fellowships, and the digitisation of historical archives related to the 18th‑century Mysuru ruler. The memorandum asks state departments to prepare feasibility studies, financial estimates and detailed implementation plans for each initiative before the upcoming November 10 deadline.
The representation stresses that honoring Tipu Sultan should extend beyond a single day of celebration to lasting contributions in education, science, heritage, craftsmanship and economic growth across Karnataka.
Historical context shows that the Congress‑led government under Siddaramaiah first introduced state‑sponsored Tipu Jayanti celebrations in 2015, portraying the ruler as an early freedom fighter. The BJP administration led by B.S. Yediyurappa discontinued the observance in July 2019, citing public opposition and social friction.
Image: mangalorean.com
📰 Source: Mangalorean News