Let MLA Lobo and Ivan Clarify their Stand on Tipu Jayanti Celebrations – Kanara Christians

Let MLA Lobo and Ivan Clarify their Stand on Tipu Jayanti Celebrations – Kanara Christians

Mangaluru: The legislators J R Lobo, Ivan D‘Souza and parliament member Oscar Fernandes belonging to Kanara Christian community have not stood with the community at this hour of trial. But have backed the government for their narrow political gain. We challenge them to face the next elections in the name of Tipu Sultan as their hero or else let they clarify their stand on the Tipu Jayanti. Tomorrow the MLA, Chief Whip and other leaders are participating in the Tipu Jayanti, let them raise their voice against the celebrations of Tipu Jayanti in the Vidhana Soudha. Let it be their last celebration”, said the member of Kanara Christians Robert Rosario in a press meet held at Hotel Woodlands here on November 9.

Addressing the mediapersons Robert Rosario said, “The Karnataka state government’s decision to celebrate tyrant Tipu Sultan’s Jayanti is highly painful and condemnable. We the descendants of the victims of the tyranny of Tipu sultan have been urging the state government for the past two years to call off the celebrations and respect out sentiments. But the government instead of being sensitive to our cause is hell-bent on celebrating the Tipu Jayanti”.

“Therefore we have decided to produce a cinema based on the historical facts of Tipu’s torture of our ancestors in order to put the record straight and tell our younger generation about the ordeal our forefather’s suffered under Tipu’s rule. We shall achieve this through crowdfunding from the members of the community”, said Robert.

Robert Rosario further said, “Hurting us more is the fact that the religious leaders from the community have maintained grave silence. Their clout is so high that no government will dare to continue Tipu Jayanti celebrations if they speak a single word against it. Yet they prefer not to stand with the community which has suffered. We like to call it a conspiracy of silence in collusion with the Congress-ruled state government”.

Robert Rosario also said, “Prominent positions held by the Kanara Christian community are the Bishops of all districts in the state and the country. All these esteemed members of the community have let us down which is hurting the most. While emboldening the forces supporting Tipu”.

When asked how will they oppose Tipu Jayanti, Robert said, “Within a year we will release a movie of Tipu Sultan and show to the people how the Christians suffered during Tipu’s regime.”

When asked whether the members of Kanara Christians met the Bishop of Mangaluru in this regard Robert Rosario said, “Two years ago we had continuously met the Bishop and asked him to speak to the elected members and convey the message to stop celebrating Tipu Jayanti but did not receive any positive response from him.”

Members of Kanara Christians Augustine Rodrigues, Bertram Pinto, Jerald Towers and Gilbert D’Silva were also present.