Tipu Jayanti protests continue in Karnataka

The BJP and the VHP activists continued their protests against the Karnataka government's Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations on Wednesday.

Protests were organised at Malleshwaram, Town Hall, Jayanagar, Vijayanagar and Ulsoor in Bengaluru city.

The Bharatiya Janata Party and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists burnt Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's effigies and blocked Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in Srirangapatnam.

The protesters were demanding action against the chief minister for organising Tipu Sultan Jayanti and compensation to a 50-year-old VHP supporter who died during Tuesday's protests.

Several Hindu organisations are protesting Tipu Sultan's 265th birth anniversary being celebrated in the Congress-led Karnataka government. Christians too joined Bajrang Dal and RSS cadres in protests in Manguluru, claiming Tipu Sultan harassed Christians.

Meanwhile, theatre personality Girish Karnad received criticism for allegedly suggesting the renaming of Kempegowda International Airport here after the 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan. Karnad, later, apologised for his remarks.