Noted Kannada playwright-cum-actor Girish Karnad received death threat when he said naming the Bengaluru international airport after 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan would have been apt than the city’s founder Kempe Gowda.
The tweet, later deleted by the user, read, “Girish Karnad will meet the same end like kalburgi if he enrages kannadigas by replacing in Kempe gouda (sic) with Tipu Sultan.”
“A tweet was posted by someone with the username Intolerant Chandra and action will be taken if necessary and if a complaint is lodged,” a police officer said.
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It all started when Karnad said, “As Tipu was born at Devanahalli where the new airport has been built and operating, naming it after him would have been appropriate, as he also fought against the British.”
Following the controversy, the actor issued a formal apology and said, “If anybody has been hurt by my remarks, I apologize…. What will I gain by giving such comments?”
Protests were also observed at Chikkamagaluru, Kalaburgi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Puttur and Tumakuru across the state against Tipu’s birthday celebrations.