Declare holiday on Tipus death anniversary

MYSORE: Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has urged the state government to declare a general holiday on the death anniversary of Tipu Sultan. The SDPI made a request in this regard during the 219th Sandal and Urs-e-Shariff (death anniversary) of Tipu Sultan held in the city on Thursday. It will be a fitting tribute to the freedom fighter, who is fondly remembered as ‘Tiger of Mysore,’ in view of his contributions to the state and the country. He has been responsible for some of the major achievements of which the state boasts of even today, like the Kolar Gold Fields, Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, Mangalore Port and Kunigal stud farm. He was truly a secular person and generously gave lands for the constructions of temples, masjids and worship places of other religions, SDPI leaders said.A grand procession was taken out from Farooqia Circle to Meelad Bagh as part of the Urs. Religious leaders mounted on seven elephants were brought in a procession to the Meelad Bagh where a public function was held. Several religious leaders recalled the contributions of Tipu and the way he bravely fought against the British. MLAs Shankarlingegowda and Tanveer Sait were present.