Tipu Sultan row: Karnataka relatively peaceful

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Mangaluru, the coastal city in Karnataka was shut on Friday in protests against the government organising the anniversary of Tipu Sultan, while protests across the state was peaceful.

Police had taken into custody Sri Rama Sena leader Pramod Muthalik and BJP legislator C T Ravi while prohibitary orders were organised in sensitive districts such as Madikeri, Mangaluru and Shimoga. Viswha Hindu Parishad leaders had blocked roads in Bengaluru, but protests were largely peaceful.

Home Minister G Parameshwara reviewed the security arrangements and asked district administration to tackle any untoward incidents.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party sought resignation of Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah for his alleged failure in protecting communal harmony by organising the anniversary of Tipu Sultan. BJP supported the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's call for protests across the state, which was peaceful.

"The state government wants to disturb communal harmony. We had asked the chief minister not to organise the Tipu event," said Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda. "The CM should go"

Chief minister Siddaramaiah has ordered an inquiry by the Kodagu district magistrate over the death of VHP leader Kutappa on Tuesday during protests. Police had claimed that he slipped in a gorge and died while being chased by the police. Siddaramaih has accused BJP of formenting trouble for political gains in the state.