Udupi: District minister Pramod Madhwaraj skipped the Tipu Jayanti programme organized at the deputy commissioner’s officer, though he attended other programmes in his itinerary.

The minister attended a workshop at Pambur at 9.30am and a preliminary meeting on the implementation of Anila Bhagya project at the DC’s office at 11.30am. However he skipped Tipu Jayanti which was scheduled at 10.30am. Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake inaugurated the event.

“It is shameful that the minister skipped the programme organized by his own government. It’s been three years since the state government is celebrating Tipu’s Jayanti and Pramod Madhwaraj has attended none so far. If he is opposed to the celebration, let him convince state government not to celebrate it in the district” said Udupi District Muslim Union general secretary Hussein Kodibegre. When asked about it, the minister said, “There is no obligation to participate in this programmes.

The government celebrates Jayantis of many personalities and it is not mandatory that the ministers should participate in all such events. I have not attended the Kittur Rani Chennamma, Kempe Gowda, Bhagirathi and Valmiki Jayanti celebrations as well. However no one questioned me that time,” he said.
To a question if the Tipu Jayanti programme was not a government’s prime event, he said it’s just an illusion.

Regarding the outrage over his absence, the minister said: “I have not participated in Tipu Jayanthy since two years. Today, there was a pre-fixed programme. So I could not attend Tipu programme,” he said.

The Udupi police on Friday arrested several BJP leaders and activists who tried to protest against Tipu Jayanti celebrations. As the programme started at the DC office, BJP leaders and activists started shouting slogans and tried to enter the programme hall. Later, they were arrested and released.