Karnataka Government’s decision to conduct Tipu Sultan’s Jayanti celebrations leads to tensions in the peaceful state. Some Hindu radical groups hit the roads strongly opposing the state government’s decision. They argue that Tipu is a traitor and not any patriotic hero of the nation. Their protests lead to arson and quite naturally it brings in police into the scene. One person was killed and several injured in a clash between police and raged mobs in Mysuru on Wednesday. This development leads to further escalation of tensions and if ignored, they may lead to communal clashes finally.

These unfortunate incidents are taking place because of the hasty decision taken by the state government and over enthusiasm shown by some Hindu radical groups. Karnataka Government lead by Chief Minister Siddha Ramaiah takes this decision keeping in view of upcoming MPTC and ZPTC elections in the state. It plans to attract minority voters with this idea and it proves very costly for the state.

Tipu Sultan’s Jayanti celebrations would have gone unnoticed if the Hindu radical groups do not make all this mess. But they couldn’t stop themselves from doing all these odd things. Finally, entire blame has been transferred onto the Modi Government which is not related with it anyway, merely because of the over action by Hindu radicals of the state.

These developments helps the Congress and its allies’ to strengthen the negative publicity carried out by them about growing religious intolerance and restrictions on freedom of expression in the country after Modi comes into power in the Centre. Siddha Ramaiah government may have its own reasons for taking this decision, but if seen in wider angel, it appears Congress high command is strategically made this move to trap its darling enemy Narendra Modi.