Mysuru: Strongly opposing the Governments decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti on Nov.10, hundreds of people under the banner of Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Horata Samiti staged a pestle (Onake) demonstration at Gandhi Square in city this morning.

The women members held the pestle, symbolic of Onake Obavva killing soldiers of Hyder Ali, the father of Tipu Sultan, using the pestle when they attacked Chitradurga Fort.

Addressing the protesters, former Minister S.A. Ramdas said that the demonstration has been organised to condemn the Government’s decision to celebrate the Jayanti of Tipu Sultan, who was a cruel ruler.

Referring to Chief Minister Siddharamaiah’s remark that those who do not know history will oppose Tipu Jayanti, Ramdas said that the Chief Minister will be despatched a set of history books which have explained Tipu’s cruelty based on real facts, on Nov.10.

MP Pratap Simha, who also addressed the protesters, urged the Government not to celebrate Tipu Jayanti. Stating that Tipu can be an ideal ruler to only inhuman and cruel rulers and administrators, the MP maintained that Tipu can never be a model to a civilian society.

Accusing Tipu of being anti-Kannada, Simha said that Tipu followed Persian language in administration.

Asserting that the Government should be celebrating Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Jayanti with more fervour, instead of Tipu Jayanti, he alleged that Tipu was out to destroy the Wadiyar dynasty which had made great contribution for the development of Mysuru and the State.

City BJP President Dr. B.H. Manjunath, leader L. Nagendra, Samiti Convenors M.K. Prem Kumar and H.D. Griridhar, former State Women’s Commission Chairperson Manjula Manasa and others were present.