Tipu Sultan is nation's asset: DK Shivakumar'
Bengaluru, November 10: Minister DK Shivakumar said that country’s first freedom fighter Tipu Sultan was not just the property of the state, but he was an asset of the country and it was the duty of the state to pay respect to him by celebrating his jayanti.
Inaugurating the Tipu Jayanti programme organized by the Kannada and Culture department at the Vidhana Soudha banquet hall here on Saturday, he said that being a brave soldier, Tipu had developed sericulture, horticulture, agriculture and other sectors to help the common people.
No politics in Tipu’s name
During the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Vidhana Soudha, President Ramnath Kovind had recalled Tipu’s contributions to the country. But the BJP leaders have been trying to disturb peace and harmony for their selfish politics, he alleged.
Poojas were being offered in the name of Tipu Sultan in Sri Ranganatha Temple at Srirangapatna, Nanjundeshwara temple at Nanjanagudu and other temples across the state every day. But despite having such instances, the BJP leaders have been conspiring to expose Tipu as anti-Hindus, he regretted.
Food and Civil Supplies department Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said that Tipu jayanti was being celebrated since many years. But since four years, it was being celebrated as a government programme. BJP’s protest against Tipu jayanti was just for political reasons. The BJP has been trying to play communal card ahead of Lok Sabha elections by opposing the Tipu Jayanti. BJP state president B.S Yeddyurappa, leaders Jagadish Shettar, R. Ashok and others had participated in Tipu Jayanti programme and appreciated him. But now, when it was announced as the government programme, they have been opposing it. It was the habit of the BJP, he alleged.
Kannada and Culture Minister Dr. Jayamala said that at a time when the society was being divided in the name of caste and religions, the ideologies and principles of brave soldier Tipu Sultan who was known for his communal harmony, tolerance and public help, should be emulated.
Dr K Sadashiva of Mysore University said that Tipu Sultan had built the Mysore state as a ‘welfare state’ through his pro-people works like distribution of lands to the exploited classes, construction of tanks and introducing various reforms. In his army, people given place in his army based on eligibility irrespective of castes and creeds. He has fixed a monthly salary for the soldiers to help their families. He had created an environment where women were living without fear, he recalled.
MLA R. Roshan Baig presided over the programme in which Shanti Nagar MLA NA Haris, MLC Rizwan Arshad, Karnataka Urdu Academy president Mubeen Munavvar, Ameer-a-Shariat Hazrat Maulana Sageer Ahmed Khan Saheb Rashadi and others were present.
“Unnecessary confusion is created on the absence of Chief Minister H.D Kumaraswamy from the Tipu Sultan Jayanti programme. But the CM was taking rest as per the doctors’ advice. So, his name was not mentioned in the invitation card. But he has sent a message on the Tippu Jayanti”.
- Zameer Ahmed Khan, Food and Civil Supplies Minister
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
