Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai ruled out any “setback” for the BJP over the raging controversy on the history of Tipu Sultan’s killing and the claimed role of Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda in it — following a prominent seer’s call to put an end to it — saying there would be victory on the day the truth came out after proper research.
A section of people in the old Mysuru belt and some ruling BJP leaders have claimed that erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan did not die fighting the British, but was killed by two alleged Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda.
Prominent historians have contested the claim.
“There is no question of any setback. When research happens and the day truth comes out, will get the victory,” Bommai said in response to a question on whether the controversy would adversely impact the party.
Related: Historians dare BJP over ‘Uri Gowda-Nanje Gowda’ claim
‘Historical truths have been suppressed’
In a veiled attack against Opposition parties, especially the Congress, Bommai, responding to another question, said, “I’m not speaking about Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda alone. Several historical truths have been suppressed and history has been distorted across the country after independence, including Karnataka. It is known to everyone who played an important role in it then. If the truth is told now, they cannot digest it.”
While Congress and JD(S) leaders have maintained that Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda did not even exist and that they might just be fictional characters, the BJP, which is trying to make inroads into the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region ahead of the upcoming Assembly election, seems to be using the duo as their latest mascots.
BJP is using them to target Tipu Sultan and to accuse the Congress and JD(S) of indulging in appeasement politics by celebrating the Muslim ruler.
Related: Producer-Minister Munirathna shelves ‘Uri Gowda-Nanje Gowda’ film
‘Targeting for political gains’
The issue took a dramatic turn after former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy took a dig at the ruling BJP party on his Twitter account.
He said the saffron party in the state is now targeting the Vokkaliga community (warriors and cultivators) for political gains by introducing fictional characters such as Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda.
Amid the raging controversy regarding Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda, a prominent seer of the community, on Monday, urged to end the issue, citing a lack of historical evidence in this regard.
Some leaders of the ruling BJP have also backed the claims that the Gowdas killed Tipu.
Related: Vokkaliga seer seeks end to ‘Uri Gowda, Nanje Gowda’ controversy
Vokkaliga pontiff called for historical evidence
Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, the chief pontiff of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math, which is highly regarded by the dominant Vokkaligas, has called for the gathering of information, edicts and historical records about the duo, before arriving at any decision.
On Monday, he also summoned Horticulture Minister Munirathna, a producer-turned-politician, whose studio has planned to make a movie by registering a title Uri Gowda-Nanje Gowda, and directed him not to go ahead with the project. The minister paid heed to the pontiff’s direction.
“I met Sri Nirmalananda Swamiji to discuss the film (Uri Gowda-Nanje Gowda). He felt that making a film is not an issue but it is of utmost importance to keep in mind that the movie should not hurt the sentiments of any community,” Munirathna told the media.
The names of Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda came to the limelight after the release of the play Tippuvina Nija Kanasugalu (The True Dreams of Tipu) last year by Rangayana director Addanda Cariappa, though there has been a debate on the issue in the past.
(With PTI inputs)
