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Journalism of Courage
Karnataka BJP leaders, especially those from the Vokkaliga community, appear to be sticking to the claim that Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda killed 18th-Century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan despite the community’s prominent religious leader Nirmalananda Swamy saying the issue should not be raised as it lacks historical evidence.
Prominent among the leaders pushing the narrative is BJP national general secretary C T Ravi. Though the Vokkaliga leader told reporters on Tuesday that he respects Nirmalananda Swamy’s comments, hinting at defying those directions he said he would hold discussions with the Vokkaliga religious leader. “We will furnish relevant documents and discuss the matter with the seer,” Ravi said, maintaining that Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda had not received their due of late.
The BJP leaders’ claims, which are disputed by historians, have already triggered a political controversy in the state. Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy has lashed out at BJP leaders for attempting to malign the Vokkaliga community by making baseless claims — a view echoed by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar. The state Congress chief even urged Nirmalananda Swamy to lead an agitation against BJP leaders for making such claims. Even the Karnataka Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha — the largest organisation of the community dominant in south Karnataka — has criticised the BJP over the issue.
By claiming that the two Vokkaligas killed Tipu, the BJP is attempting to pander to the right-wing camps in the community with the ultimate objective of making electoral gains in the coming elections. Muniratna, the state horticulture minister, last week announced a movie on Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda which he called off after meeting Nirmalananda Swamy. The Vokkaligas have traditionally voted for the JD(S) and the Congress but this time around the BJP is eyeing to make inroads into the community as their support will be crucial if the party has to emerge as the winner with a simple majority.
Nirmalananda Swamy, who leads the Adichunchanagiri mutt in Mandya, told BJP leaders on Monday not to speak on the issue without any evidence. “Such claims will lead to confusion and doubt. There are several issues concerning the community that can be raised. We can’t sideline these and just highlight their pet claim,” he said.
