Tipu Express: Railways changed the name of Tipu Express, political ruckus in Karnataka

Railways has changed the name of Tipu Superfast Express, named after the ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, to Wodeyar Express. There has been a political ruckus in Karnataka over the name change of the train. Congress alleges that BJP is doing politics of increasing hatred in the society, while BJP says that now the days of doing politics of appeasement are gone. To change the name of this train, BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha wrote a letter to the Railways.

Since last many years 12613 Mysuru-Bengaluru Intercity Express was running as 'Tipu Superfast Express' but now its name has been changed to Wodeyar Express. BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha put up a photo of the new board of the train and expressed his gratitude to the Railway Ministry. Pratap Simha had written a letter on 25 July demanding change of name of this train. In a notification issued by the Ministry of Railways, it has been said that train number 12613-12614 Mysuru-Bengaluru Tipu Express has been renamed as Wodeyar Express.

The Wodeyar kingdom is said to be the architect of modern Mysuru. About 150 years ago, Wodeyar built the railway network in the Kingdom of Mysuru. But after the naming of this train, a political ruckus has started. Congress leaders are accusing the government of doing politics of polarisation. At the same time, BJP says that when this train was named after Tipu Sultan, the politics of appeasement was happening and now the time has changed, that is why the name of this train has also changed.

Sahebzada Mansoor Ali, one of Tipu Sultan's descendants, has gone through this decision of railways. He says that through this decision the government is trying to erase the mark of Tipu Sultan. Leader of Opposition in Karnataka and former CM Siddaramaiah was also seen chanting in the voice of Tipu's descendant. They say that the BJP knows nothing but the politics of hatred. He said, 'BJP's job is to dissolve poison. They can rename the train after Wodeyar on some other side, what was the need to do so by removing Tipu's name.