A Vokkaliga forum has urged the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to withhold permission for a film on Uri and Nanje Gowda, who a section of the governing BJP claims, had killed Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan. The film is titled Urigowda Nanjegowda. The opposition party, JDS, has opposed the very existence of Tipu’s killers. The call came on 18th March, a day after horticulture minister Munirathna’s Vrushabhadri Productions announced the film (on 17th).
In a letter to the KFCC, the Vokkaliga Yuva Brigade claimed that the intention behind making the film was to create a rift between the Vokkaliga and Muslim communities. According to the Brigade, there is no historical or documentary evidence on the existence of either of the two persons on whom the film is purportedly based.
The controversy peaked when a welcome arch named after the duo was erected in Mandya town during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last week. The district administration had to remove the names following stiff opposition.