Siddaramaiah As Tipu: As Karnataka High Court Stays Release Of Book On Former CM, BJP Prepares For Legal And Perception Battle

Karnataka BJP is gearing up to legally fight the stay on the release of Siddu Nija Kanasugalu and to make sure that it is in fact released on a much larger scale than originally planned.

As reported by news channels, the state BJP which was to originally release the book in Bengaluru last evening, plans to now scale up the release and hold events across the state.

The book's title is a satirical comparison of former CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah to erstwhile tyrant from Mysuru, Tipu Sultan, with an image of him wielding a sword for a cover. This was intended to highlight his minority appeasement politics in the state.

A play on Tipu titled Tipu NIjakanasugalu premiered in November. Authored by  Addanda C Cariappa, it was released by celebrated Kannada writer Dr SL Bhyrappa in Mysuru and was being performed across the state, with a total 100 shows planned.

While Congress workers protested outside Townhall where the book was to be released by Higher Education Minister Ashwath Narayan, Siddaramaiah's son and Congress MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah went to court against its release and sought a permanent stay order.

The Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge issued an interim injunction against the release circulation or dissemination in any manner till the next date of hearing on 9 February. 

While BJP launched a scathing attack on the Congress staying the release and called it a display of its intolerance, the opposition used the poster of the book to counter that attack while juxtaposing it against images of various schemes brought out during Siddaramaiah's term as chief minister.

Various Congress party handles used an edited cover of the book with the sword piercing through the BJP's lotus. They also called it an attempt by state BJP to 'defame' Siddaramaiah 'as it has no achievements of its own to talk about'.

BJP social media handles used this stay order against the Congress and drew comparisons between Tipu and Siddaramaiah, saying, "Your idol Tipu would also imprison those who expressed their opinions about him freely'.

The social media war between the two parties is on full swing with Congress launching a counter to 'Siddu Nijakanasugalu' with a series of posters proclaiming 'BJP Paapada Purana' (The purana of BJP's sins).