Mysore/Mysuru: Former Mayor Purushotham has defended District In-charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa’s statement about Tipu Sultan laying the foundation stone for Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam, asserting that it is historically accurate. However, he expressed concern that the statement is being distorted to create unnecessary controversy.

Speaking at a press conference at Patrakarthara Bhavan, Purushotham said, “Tipu Sultan was indeed the first to lay the foundation stone for KRS Dam. But due to war defeats, the project did not advance during his rule. Minister Mahadevappa merely pointed out this historical fact, which is supported by evidence near the Dam.”

He recalled that during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Dam in 1911, under Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s reign, a stone attributed to Tipu Sultan was discovered and installed near the site. “There is no dispute that Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is the true architect of the KRS Dam,” he emphasised.

Purushotham further highlighted that the Dalit community reveres Nalwadi Wadiyar. “Minister Mahadevappa has never spoken against Nalwadi or the Mysore Royal Family. Allegations that he made the statement to appease the Muslim community are baseless,” he said, urging people to stop spreading divisive narratives.

“We hold deep respect for Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who is also the scion of the royal family. But it is inappropriate for him to suggest that Minister Mahadevappa’s statement was politically motivated to appease a community,” Purushotham added and pointed to the presence of statues of both Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Sir M. Visvesvaraya at KRS Dam. “If Yaduveer talks about symbolic purity, why not question Visvesvaraya’s statue? He was an engineer, not a ruler. Shouldn’t Yaduveer reflect on that?” he asked.

Supporting Mahadevappa’s remarks, progressive thinker Prof. K.S. Bhagawan said, “If you visit Kannambadi Katte site, you’ll see three stones — one in Arabic, one in English and one in Kannada — stating that the Dam’s foundation was laid with divine grace. Minister Mahadevappa simply highlighted this historical detail.”

He also criticised misleading narratives, citing a Dr. Rajkumar film song that credits Visvesvaraya for preventing the unchecked flow of Cauvery. “Visvesvaraya contributed for just one year, but Kannambadi Katte project took 21 years to complete. Nalwadi Wadiyar was the real visionary,” Bhagawan asserted.

Siddaswamy, Somaiah Maleyur, Bhugatgalli Maniyappa, and Puttaraju were present at the press meet.