BJP, Congress at loggerheads over Tipu University

Mangaloretoday/DHNS

Mysore, Jan 16, 2013: The Centre’s proposal to start Tipu Sultan Central University at Srirangapatna, Mandya district, has triggered another controversy with BJP spokesperson and MLC G Madhusudhan stating that State government will not hand over the land required for the university.

 

Addressing presspersons in Mysore on Wednesday, Madhusudhan said a request has been made to the State government to provide 2,000 acres at Srirangapatna for the proposed university.

Such a vast extent of land is not available in Srirangapatna and also, the BJP would never facilitate the setting up of Tipu University, he said.

Govt refuses to give land

“The BJP is opposed to establishing separate universities for minorities. After the drubbing it received in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat Assembly elections, Congress has come up with the proposal to start such universities to appease minority communities. There is no doubt that the varsity at Srirangapatna will turn into a hub of terrorist activities in South India,” Madhusudhan said.

The BJP leader said Tipu himself had claimed that he had killed thousands of Hindus and razed several temples. Setting up a varsity in his name would disturb communal harmony.
The university would turn into a breeding ground for terrorists like the Alighar University which produced SIMI activists, he alleged. The BJP would launch a campaign to create public awareness on the issue, he said.

Reacting to Madhusudan’s statement, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G Parameshwar said in Mangalore that as the Union  government has given its nod for establishing the university in Srirangapatna, the approval or rejection of it by the State government would hardly matter.

“The State should take pride in getting a Central University instead of opposing it due to ideological differences. The life and achievements of Tipu Sultan has been wrongly interpreted by the BJP. Tipu was a great warrior who fought for India and was secular in his approach and administration,” Parameshwara told presspersons. If the Congress comes to power in the State, it would take all steps to establish Tipu University, he added.

Guv endorses varsity

Governor H R Bhardwaj, who was in Mangalore, told mediapersons that Tipu was one of the greatest heros of India and there was nothing wrong in establishing an university in his name.

The Tipu Sultan United Front said that the State government cannot refuse to grant land for Tipu university.

Sardar Ahmed Qureshi, President of Tipu Sultan United Front said: “It seems like the state government is against educating the masses. I cannot see another reason to oppose such an important move.”

The Front said false allegations have been made against Tipu by a section of people including an MLA from the ruling BJP. Prof P V Narasimhaiah, a representative of the Front said in Bangalore that Tipu was being portrayed as a person who was against Hindus and Kannada while there was no historical evidence to substantiate the allegations.