As Karnataka draws closer to the assembly elections in 2023, the politics over the idols is heating up.
At first, opposition parties objected to the installation of the statue of Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru. Later the focus shifted to the announcement of the installation of a statue of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, and now the protest against the statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has created a storm in Karnataka.
The issue of installation of idols has also taken a communal colour.
It began with the installation of a 108-feet tall statue of Bengaluru-based architect, Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda, by the ruling BJP. The opposition alleged that the BJP installed the statue to make inroads into the Vokkaliga vote bank, which plays a significant role in south Karnataka.
after the prime minister Narendra Modi After unveiling the statue, the Congress immediately objected that the statue has been built with public money at a time when the people of the state are facing a crisis.
Congress state president DK Shivakumar, who is from the Vokkaliga community, downplayed the development and accused the ruling BJP of resorting to cheap politics to win elections. He had already made a public appeal that the Vokkaliga community should give him a chance, as he has strong chances of becoming the chief minister if the Congress comes to power.
The JD(S), which draws its strength from the Vokkaliga community, also reacted quickly to the installation of Kempe Gowda’s statue at the Bengaluru International Airport.
Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy took a jibe at the BJP and said that by installing Kempe Gowda’s statue, the BJP would not get Vokkaliga votes. The party said that by not inviting former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda to the inauguration ceremony, the BJP has insulted the veteran politician.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, however, released the letters he had written inviting Deve Gowda to unveil the statue. BJP leaders claimed that by installing Kempe Gowda’s statue, they would get good results in the upcoming elections.
In Mysuru, Congress MLA from Narasimharaja constituency and minority leader Tanveer Sait courted controversy by announcing the installation of a 100 feet tall statue of Tipu Sultan.
Making the announcement, Tanveer Sait criticized the BJP and Hindu organizations for their efforts to defame 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan for political gains.
Subsequently, Raghu, a Hindu activist, had made a video and urged Sait to apologize for issuing the statement about installing Tipu’s statue. “If the statement is not withdrawn, then the place is ready for your burial,” he said.
Many progressive thinkers and writers criticized Tanveer Sait for making such a declaration. However, the announcement sparked a debate in the state and took a communal turn.
Tanveer Sait said that “Though construction of idols is not allowed as per Islam, such a symbol is needed in the present situation where BJP and Sangh Parivar are continuously campaigning to defame the ruler who fought the British and was the leader of the country. Martyr for.”
BJP leaders and Hindu organizations said that they will never allow the installation of Tipu Sultan’s statue in Karnataka.
At a time when the war of words over Tipu Sultan’s statue seemed to have died down, a fresh controversy erupted over the installation of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the communally sensitive Mangaluru city of Dakshina Kannada district.
Congress members in the Mangaluru Municipal Corporation objected to the resolution moved by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maratha Association. Congress leader in the corporation Naveen D’Souza criticized the BJP at a time when Maharashtra and political outfit MES are trying to raise the border issue with Karnataka.
The Congress has been claiming that Mahaveer Circle, where the statue is proposed to be installed, has a temple dedicated to the twin warriors Koti-Chennaya-Sri Brahma Baidarkala Garadi area of Tulunadu.
The party is demanding the installation of a statue of local hero Koti-Chennai. This matter remains a matter of discussion in the state.
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