Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad and BJP MP Prathap Simha have allegedly received death threats on social media as the controversy fumes in Karnataka over the birth anniversary celebrations of 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.
Karnad became part of controversy after his remark that Bengaluru International Airport should be named after Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan, rather than the founder of city Kempe Gowda, hence, received life threats on twitter that he will also meet the same fate as rationalist MM Kalburgi.
Taking the note from past event, security has been posted at Karnad house. Mysusru-Kodagu BJP MP Prathap Simha, has also received similar threat through a Facebook post, thereafter the politican has brought the case in knowledge of Mysuru police.
A tweet posted on twitter with name ‘Intolerant Chandra’ pointing to Karnad said that Karnad will meet will meet the same fate as Kalburgi, if he continued to rage Kannadiga with such controversial comments.
In a remark which turned controversial, made during a function organized by state government on Tipu Jayanti, Karnad in his remark during the event said “it would have been “apt” had the Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli, should be named after Tipu Sultan rather than Kempe Gowada, a feudatory ruler under the Vijayanagra Empire who founded Bengaluru in 1537.”
However, looking at the outcome and series of violence after the remark went viral on national news channels, Karnad apologies for his remark saying if ‘anybody has been hurt’ by his views. Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah, how was also present during the event, clarified that Karnataka government has nothing to do with Karnad’s views.
Whereas, on the other side Simha advanced to police on 10th November, complaining about the Facebook post threatening for life, as BJP MP has commented over the violence caused at Madikeri, which claimed life of local VHP leader Kuttappa and one more. The clash emerged at Madikeri in connection with event organized as birth anniversary celebration of Tipu Sultan.
Simha had questioned the government and the police version that Kuttappa had died in a fall while jumping a boundary wall. The Lok Sabha MP has been severely critical of Tipu Sultan amidst claims of “persecution” suffered by Hindus under his reign.
The post on a Facebook page, ‘Mysuru Tiger Shahide Millat Mahan Tippu Sultan’ allegedly shows Simha’s photograph next to that of Kuttappa and threatens him with the same fate as the VHP leader if he continues to play politics by making “anti-Muslim comments”.
Police said that the cyber crime division has been asked to look into the matter.
