Tipu Sultan row: Cong. blames govt-backed ‘lunatic’ fringe for it

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday blamed what he called a “government-backed lunatic fringe” for the ongoing agitation against celebrating the 265th birth anniversary of former Mysore king Tipu Sultan.

“It is arising because such situations are created by lunatic fringe in our country, which is clearly supported directly or indirectly by the ruling dispensation. I think unless that question is answered, all other elements are futile,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told ANI.

“This kind of situation of law and order is unfortunate and condemnable and this should be avoided. But a fundamental question is raised that why does such a situation arise. Why is there such an atmosphere of acute internal divisive politics of mutual antagonism of tension?” he questioned.

The right-wing groups backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ( RSS) have described Tipu Sultan as ‘most intolerant’.

Clashes erupted today after a Muslim group that was taking out a procession to mark the Karnataka government’s Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebration through Madikeri town came face to face with Hindutva activists protesting against the celebration of the birth anniversary in the middle of the town.

The clashes went out of control as the protesters outnumbered the police presence on the ground.

Police later resorted to a baton charge to disperse the groups to bring the situation under control.

A 50-year-old activist of the right wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) got injured in the clash and died in the Madikeri government hospital today morning. (ANI)