Konaje police ask DYFI to remove Tipu Sultan cutout at Harekala

Mangaluru police ask DYFI to remove Tipu Sultan cutout, sparking controversy over freedom of expression and political influence.

Konaje police on Sunday issued a letter to the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) to remove a six-feet-high cardboard-made cutout of Tipu Sultan near the DYFI office at Harekala in Ullal Taluk.

The letter asked the DYFI to remove the cutout in view of maintaining law and order. It said that the statue was installed, in Pavoor village, between February 16 and February 17 without taking any permission.

Reacting to it, the Dakshina Kannada president of DYFI B. K. Imtiyaz said in a statement that it was installed in connection with the three-day 12th Karnataka conference of the DYFI which will be held at Unity Hall, Kallapu from February 25. The DYFI has installed the cutouts/banners of Rani Abbakka, Koti and Chennaya and some other social reformers and freedom fighters in other parts as part of the conference. “Hence there is no question of removing the Tipu Sultan cutout,” he said.

Mr. Imtiyaz questioned when the government banned displaying or installing cutouts, statues, or banners of Tipu Sultan in public places. “Is there a BJP government or Congress government in Dakshina Kannada?” he asked in the statement.