KARNATAKA CELEBRATES TIPU JAYANTI AMID PROTESTS BY BJP

BENGALURU: Karnataka on Saturday celebrated the 269th birth anniversary (Jayanti) of erstwhile Mysore (Mysuru) ruler Tipu Sultan amid protests by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an official said. “Tipu Jayanti was celebrated peacefully on his birth anniversary under tight security despite protests by BJP leaders and cadres in the state,” a Kannada and Culture Department official said. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JDS and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara of the Congress were conspicuously absent at the main event, held in the legislative building in the city centre. “Kumaraswamy is unable to attend the function, as he is taking rest on doctor’s advice,” said a statement from the CM’s office, explaining his absence and denying that he kept away from the event due to the fear of losing power, as he is against such blind beliefs. “Parameshwara could not be present at the function as he flew to Singapore to visit our ailing party leader Chennigappa, who is undergoing treatment in a private hospital there,” state Water Resources Minister and Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar said. “BJP protesters were taken away from the function venue and detained due to ban order imposed in the district,” a police official said.