Ridiculing the hate induced false narrative of some Hindu fringe leaders against Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan known as the tiger of Mysore, the historian Dr. Ram Puniyani said, “Previously the hard-line Hindu leaders were seen praising the Tipu Sultan admitting his valor he displayed while fighting against the advancement of East India Company in the country.
While peeping into the controversy that arose out after a construction of sports complex in the name of Tipu Sultan at Malwani, in Maharashtra by congress minister Aslam Shaikh, he said, “People who play religious politics in the country generally see the Muslim rulers simply wearing the blurry spectacles with obnoxious coating.”
The sports complex was inaugurated last week while it was constructed by Aslam Shaikh’s MLA fund.
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He also drew the attention towards the statement made by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis who fanned the controversy saying “How a sports complex could be named after Tipu Sultan who inflicted atrocities on Hindus…? He is no way a proud figure for the country.” While saying this, Dr.Puniyani said, the CM was not aware that it is just talking half backed history.
Recalling the past accounts of the history, he said, RSS itself launched a book series titled “Bharath Bharathi” during the year 1970 covering biographies of several famous rulers of the country that include Tipu Sultan. The year 2010 also saw the then former Chief Minister of Karnataka Yeddyurappa appear in a public meeting wearing the attire Tipu Sultan generally used to don and appeal to the voters (apparently Muslims) to vote his party – the BJP.
“The latest one, he further said, came three years ago when the president Ramnath Kovind sent a message to the nation on the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan saying ‘the lion heart was a man of high stature as he fought tooth and nail against the British besides inventing missile technology.’
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“The fringe group leaders, who until now were heard praising Tipu Sultan are using different tone against the Muslim ruler,” he ridiculed.
While dispelling the hate rhetoric that tipu sacked several temples in the country, the historian said, “I must clarify that when the Maratha cavalry led by Raghunath Rao Patvardhan went to take on Tipu Sultan at Mysore, they destroyed the Sringeri math but sacked a temple at Srirangapatnam. However, the interesting part is that the Muslim ruler the Tipu Sultan later ensured restoration of destroyed temple at Srirangapatnam and also extended liberal grants to Sringeri math.”
As far as the absurd narratives like he killed Brahmans and led campaigns for force conversion into Islam is concerned, he said, “All these rhetoric’s are simply litany of lies that holds no weight in the annals of history. Hundreds of Brahmans were part of the Tipu Sultan’s administration and hold’s coveted positions and high regards. One of his close advisors was Purnia Pandit who was a Brahman.”
Quoting the thespian of Indian Television and cinema Late Girish Karnad, he said, the actor once said that ‘if Tipu Sultan was from Hindu community, he would have enjoyed the same respect and reverence in Karnataka that Chatrapati Shivji enjoys in Maharashtra.’ The players of religious politics in India are targeting Tipu Sultan simply because he is a Muslim and one among few rulers who fought against British advancement in the country,” Puniyani explained.
