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Andhra government arrests BJP leaders for opposing Tipu Sultan’s statue

A major political controversy has erupted over the installation of a statue of dictator Tipu Sultan in Proddatur town of Cuddapah district in Andhra Pradesh. According to the news, Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh government has arrested several BJP leaders protesting against the state government over installation of Tipu Sultan’s statue. On Friday, the police arrested BJP state general secretary Vishnuvardhan Reddy and other party leaders for opposing the government’s decision. BJP leader and Andhra Pradesh in-charge Sunil Deodhar took to Twitter to condemn the arrest of BJP leaders by the Andhra Pradesh government. Islamic dictator Tipu Sultan, projected as a ‘secular’ leader by some political parties, is accused of killing thousands of Hindus and demolishing Hindu temples. I condemn the arrest of @SVishnuReddy & other @BJP4Andhra leaders by CM @ysjagan for protesting against the illegal installation of the statue of Satanic Islamic dictator #TipuSultan, Who killed thousands of Hindus and destroyed hundreds of temples. https://t.co/PmFvWfSZtS- Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) June 18, 2021 Reportedly, YSRCP MLA Rachamallu Siva Prasad Reddy promised to install Tipu Sultan’s statue in Proddatur after several members of the Muslim community had demanded of him. Installation of such a statue However, the decision of the YSRCP MLA has drawn strong opposition as BJP leaders have warned against such installation and said that they will demolish the structure if it is constructed. Meanwhile, the YSRCP has ignored the protests and has continued with the installation of a statue of the 18th century dictator of Mysore in Proddatur. Why is the Karnataka government demolishing the idols? YSRCP MLA while talking to the media, Defending the verdict, YSRCP MLA Rachamallu asked if Tipu Sultan was really a tyrant and Hindu oppressor, why the BJP government in Karnataka did not demolish the statues of Tipu installed in the state. “If it is proved that Tipu has committed such religious atrocities, I will express my regret and withdraw from the project,” the YSRCP MLA said. BJP leader Vishnuvardhan has accused YSRCP of doing vote bank politics at the cost of communal harmony. The BJP has said that Tipu’s image could create communal tension in the state and said the government should instead install a statue of former President APJ Abdul Kalam in the center of the city. Not only BJP Traders and civil society are also against the establishment of Tipu Sultan. Baseti Rammohan, vice-president of AP Gold and Diamonds Merchant Association, said he was not in favor of the idol of Tipu, who had allegedly massacred Hindus. We will raise our objections if the work goes ahead, he said.