Karnataka bandh today: VHP to impose 'rasta roko'
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a state-wide bandh in Karnataka on Friday over the death of its worker during the protests against Tipu Sultan jayanti celebrations on Tuesday.
Two people, including VHP activist DS Kutappa, had died after clashes erupted in Madikeri in Karntaka during protests against the state government's decision to celebrate the 266th birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan.
However, the police had said that the VHP member was killed after falling from a wall while running away from the violent protests.
Several people were injured in the clashes as the police resorted to lathicharge.
The Karnataka wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party and several saffron outfits had boycotted the Siddaramaiah government's celebration of Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century Mysuru ruler who is a contested figure in history.
While some regard Tipu Sultan as a freedom fighter, others consider him to have been a tyrant who oversaw forced conversions and executions of non-Muslims.
On Wednesday, protests also spread to Bengaluru over remarks by writer Girish Karnad.
Karnad has called for the Kempegowda International Airport to be named after Tipu Sultan, which enraged several groups, including the BJP.
