One dead in clash over Tipu Sultan anniversary

A 50-year-old man died of injuries sustained in a clash while protesting the Karnataka government's Tipu Sultan Jayanthi celebrations in Madikeri town of Kodagu district on Tuesday, authorities said.

Kutappa suffered head injuries in stone pelting when a pro-Tipu Sultan group and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists clashed at Thimmaiah circle in Madikeri, officials said.

When a Muslim group celebrating the birth anniversary of the 18th century Mysore ruler and the VHP group opposing it came face to face, a showdown took place on Tuesday morning, leaving three more people injured.

The Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) demanded a probe into the death of VHP activist Kutappa.

On Monday, BJP announced its plans to boycott the celebrations across the state.

State BJP president Prahlad Joshi told media persons on Monday that none of its 44 legislators and office-bearers will attend the Tipu Jayanti celebrations being organized by the state government.

Police caned the protestors for opposing Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary commemoration by the state government in Madikeri.

Several Hindu organizations are protesting Tipu Sultan's 165th birth anniversary being celebrated in the Congress government-ruled Karnataka.

Christians too joined Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayam Sevak (RSS) cadres in protests in Manguluru, claiming Tipu Sultan harassed Christians.