‘Jihadi who invited Afghans to invade India’: Mohandas Pai schools troll who claims Tipu Sultan fought against invaders

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai on Sunday attacked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, citing news that Tipu Sultan had massacred over 700 Mandyam Iyengar families in Melukote. Pai said the Prime Minister should show respect to Kannadigas who suffered under Tipu Sultan’s rule instead of praising the ruler whom he called a “butcher”.

In his post on X, Pai wrote: “Melukote tragedy. They survived the worst murder by Tipu Sultan. Our CM @siddaramaiah should respect and sympathize with the Kannadigas who were murdered by Tipu and not praise their killer. Supporting such killers in politics is very inappropriate.”

This statement caused a wave of reactions on the X platform (formerly Twitter). One user opposing Pai’s views called him a “Sanghii,” a term often used to describe members or supporters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization. A user wrote: “Sanghiis tragedy. They suffer from the worst kind of fact phobia. No one should respect or sympathize with these bigots blinded by Islamophobia. Our hero Tipu Sultan fought against foreign invaders. The hero of Sanghia wrote petitions for pardon and collected pensions from them. No wonder you hate him.

In response to the comment, Pai reiterated his views on Tipu Sultan’s alliances and actions. He asserted that the historical narrative surrounding Tipu Sultan is often misrepresented. Pai argued: “Foreign invaders? Big bullshit and lies. Tipu associated himself with the French – including foreign invaders. He fought for his kingdom. For himself – a great jihadist who invited the Afghans to invade India. Read your story; Don’t be blinded by false narratives.” He further alleged that Tipu Sultan was responsible for the deaths of many communities, including the Kodavas and Nairs, and criticized the ruler for using his own sons as hostages to protect himself.

Pai further urged people to reflect on the suffering of the Mandyama Iyengar, a community he believed was brutalized during Tipu’s reign. He called the lack of sympathy for these victims a “great shame,” emphasizing the need for historical recognition and respect for those who suffered.