Mangaluru: The members of the United Christian Association staged a protest against the state government’s decision to celebrate “Tipu Jayanti”, in front of the DC’s Office here, on November 6.
Addressing the protesters, Marian D’Sa said that Tippu Sultan had killed many innocent Mangalorean Catholics, destroyed churches, confiscated their estates, and deported them. “But the state government is planning to celebrate barbarian Tipu’s birth anniversary with the tax payers’ money. The UCA condemns this decision of the state government. We also urge the government to withdraw the decision of celebrating Tipu Jayanti on November 10,” he added.
He further said that when Tipu Sultan was in power, he tortured the Canara Christians along with the people of other districts such as Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Dakshina Kannada. Tipu arrested a large number of Christians across the province of Canara and other parts of his kingdom. He captured more than 80,000 people. The people who were arrested by him were taken to Seringapatam by foot, with many dying on the way to Seringapatam. He also arrested women and children, and killed many of the captives. After Tipu’s death, only 20,000 people returned to Canara and the other 60,000 had been killed.
“This is a history which the Christians do not want to recall. Even the government should not attempt to play with the sentiments of the people by celebrating Tipu Jayanti. The government should try to bring peace in the state instead of creating enmity among different communities. If the government will not withdraw the celebration, UCA will intensify their protest in the coming days,” he added.
Alban Menezes, Maurice Shantipura and Prof M R Prabhu also spoke on the occasion. Later a memorandum was submitted to the Deputy commissioner through ADC Kumar.
