A Communally Polarising Initiative

The change in nomenclature of certain sevas (services) in Hindu temples carrying the Arabic word ‘salaam’ is both regrettable and deplorable. The Muzrai Department has notified that ‘Salaam Aarthi’ and ‘Salaam Mangalarthi’ be renamed by removing the word ‘salaam’ and ‘Namaskara’ replacing it. Henceforth, the services will be known as ‘ArathiNamaskara’ and ‘MangalarthiNamaskara’. The move constitutes an assault on the syncretic traditions in the State commemorating the glorious contributions of the 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.

Historical records bear it out that the special sevaswere introduced as atribute to the ruler who sanctioned generous monetary grants, and offered gifts and protection to several temples across Karnataka. One must be mindful that he did all this as the ruling sovereign of the state and not as a special gesture to the Hindus. The decision, coming as it does close to the Assembly election, is politically motivated and designed to woo the majority community to the ruling BharatiyaJanata Party.

However, it is doubtful if such moves would influence or appeal to the sagacious minds who see patently communal motives in such measures. The State Government has been either spearheading the deliberately mischievous measures to communally polarize the state or indirectly patronizing initiatives originating from right wing groups in the run up to the polls. A concerted campaign was launched to remove Muslim shopkeepers or stall owners from the premises of Hindu temples.

A campaign to remove a porters’ mosque on a platform on the KSR Bengaluru City Railway Station could be quietened only after the media pointed out that four temples existed within the station yard. A train named after Tipu Sultan was renamed as ’Wodeyer Express’ even though the newVande Bharat Express seemed to be a better candidate for honouring the memory of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore.

Official encouragement can be perceived behind a drama being enacted to besmirch the name and role of Tipu Sultan who fell a martyr while fighting against the British in the 4th Anglo Mysore War in Srirangapatnam. Most of such initiatives bear the stamp of quarters that are bent upon falsifying history of the State. Historical records amply testify that Tipu Sultan bore no animus against any community and retributive campaigns, if any, were borne out of power tug-of-war against his challengers.

Purnaiah remained his loyal Diwan all through his tenure. He restored the Sharda Devi statue at Sringeri Temple vandalized by the Peshwa army. The ceiling of the Narasimhaswamy Temple at Sibi to this day carries the friezes celebrating the valour of the ruler. He gifted four silver bowls to the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna, used even today for daily puja rituals. The ruler’s name and ‘Sri Krishna’ are engraved on the vessels. He had ordered installation of Shiva idol at the Nanjundeshwara temple at Nanjungad.

The Bommai Government will do well to attend to the people’s grievance with regard to vacancies in schools and hospitals, sky-rocketing corruption and atrocities against the scheduled castes and tribes rather than dividing the people in the name of religion and fractious history being doled out by dubious and spurious historians.