As Vokkaliga backlash builds, Karnataka minister withdraws film project on Uri, Nanje Gowda

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Muniratna said, “I spoke to Nirmalananda Swamy. There are some documents on Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda, but there are some missing documents on Uri Gowda. I do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. I will not produce the movie. There are a lot of stories that can be made. After producing Kurukshetra, I wanted to make movies on mythology. I will not produce any movie in the name of Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda as it may hurt the sentiments of a section. I will also not discuss it henceforth.”

Nirmalananda Swamy said it was “wrong to announce movies without proper research”. “Speaking about the matter without proper research is not good. If there are any mentions of such characters in scriptures, or if people of a certain time recorded them in history, it can be considered as evidence. People who do not belong to that generation are writing about it… That will not give any clarity. A lot of work needs to be done for the community and it needs to be focused upon.”

Swamy also urged prominent Vokkaliga leaders – BJP national general secretary CT Ravi, state Higher Education Minister Ashwath Narayan and Excise Minister Gopalaiah – to “remain silent over the issue”. “I believe they will do it,” he said adding: “The current confusion is causing hurt to the feelings of a community, and I urge it should be stopped immediately.”

On March 16, the studio Vrishabhadri Productions owned by Munirathna applied to register the title “Uri Gowda Nanje Gowda” with the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce. Three days later, his production house put out advertisements announcing that the movie would go on the floors from May 18. Over the last year, the BJP has been asserting that Vokkaliga chieftans Uri and Nanje Gowda had killed the 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, a claim that has been contested by historians. They say Tipu was killed by the British in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war.

After the film’s announcement, the BJP was panned by the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress for “distorting history”.

JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy slammed the BJP for “its hidden agenda to mislead Vokkaligas”. “Will BJP national general secretary CT Ravi write the story for the movie and Ashwath Narayan write the screenplay?” he wrote in a tweet.

“There are a lot of problems prevailing in the existing society and the BJP is coming up with these fictional characters, and their intention is to make Vokkaligas a permanent villain in history,” he added.

A source from the BJP said the pushback from the Vokkaliga community was a factor behind the decision. “The mutt and a large set of Vokkaligas were unhappy about Munirathna, who is from the Naidu community, announcing a project. They also felt that it was a distorted story which may have embarrassed the community as it seems to suggest they had joined hands with the British (to kill Tipu). The Vokkaligara Sangha approached the Karnataka government to take action against those who peddled lies in the name of Vokkaligas on the two fictional warriors.”

The Vokkaliga Sangha also threatened to launch an agitation under the leadership of Nirmalanandanath Swamy and Spathikapuri seer Nanjavadhuta Swamy against the film.

JD(S) leader and Vokkaliga Sangha president C N Balakrishna questioned “the motive behind the creation of these characters”. “It could insult Vokkaligas and also spoil the harmony with Muslim community,” he said.

Ashwath Narayan, who had earlier drawn criticism for saying that “Congress leader Siddaramaiah should be finished the way Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda finished Tipu Sultan”, also distanced himself from the film.

Responding to Kumaraswamy’s criticism, Narayan said, “I will stick to what I said about Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda. But I will not be associated with the movie which Munirathna is planning to produce.”

Tipu Sultan has been a controversial and polarising figure in the state. While the Congress speaks of Tipu Sultan as a brave ruler who stood up to the British, the BJP claims he was a “mass murderer” of Hindus who demolished temples.