Karnataka: BJP will organise state-wide protest in the state on November 9 against Karnataka government's decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti, said BJP leader and former deputy chief minister R Ashoka.
He also said that intensified protests will be held at Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru.
"Celebrating Tipu Jayanti is an insult to Mysuru royal family, Madakari Nayaka of Chitradurga, Onake Obavva, martyrs of Kodagu, who fought against the British," said Ashoka.
The state government is set to celebrate Tipu Jayanti on November 9. But Hindu leaders claimed that Tipu was a religious bigot, fanatic and anti-Kannada.
"Tipu Jayanti will make jihadis happy. If the government wants to celebrate birth anniversaries, let them celebrate saint Shishunal Sharif's birthday,” said R Ashoka.
"Tipu was anti-Kannada. He had administered Persian language as the official language. If Tipu jayanti is celebrated in Kannada Bhavan, it is an insult to the Kannada language. If the government dares, let them arrest us," he said.
"Last year too organisations like PFI, KFD had celebrated Tipu Jayanti and were the cause of disturbing religious harmony. If there are any violent instances on the day, the government is directly responsible for it," he added.
He lashed out at chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, who earlier had neutral views on Tipu Jayanti, was now speaking in favour of Congress.