Koppala, Feb 16: In a fresh Controversy, Karnataka BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel has allegedly appealed to believers of ‘Lord Rama’ and ‘Lord Hanuman’ to ‘kill’ all the ‘ardent dollowers of Tipu Sultan’. He also declared that Tipu’s descendants should be chased out and sent to forests.
Nalin Kumar Kateel made these statements during a public rally at Koppala district’s Yelaburga town. He said that, We offer prayers and obeisance to Lord Hanuman, and we are not Tipu’s descendants. Let’s send Tipu’s descendants back home.
“I ask the people here whether you offer prayers to Lord Hanuman or Tipu. Then will you send those who are ardent followers of Tipu to the forest? Think about it. Do you think this state requires Lord Hanuman devotees or descendants of Tipu? I am issuing a challenge — those who are ardent followers of Tipu should not remain alive on this fertile soil,” he added.
Pollbound Karnataka is witnessing aggressive campaigns from all three major political parties of the state. Previously Kateel had claimed that this election is between followers of Wodeyar and the followers of Tipu Sultan. BJP’s anguish on Tipu burst out when former CM Siddaramaiah had identified him as earliest freedom fighter and announced his ‘Jayanti’. Since then, BJP is targeting Tipu Sultan by portraying him as a bigoted tyrant who forcefully converted thousands.
Earlier this month, Kateel had said that the coming assembly election in the state was all about “Tipu versus Savarkar”. “They (Congress) allowed celebrating Tipu Jayanti which was not required, and spoke disgracefully about Savarkar,” he had said.
