Plans to celebrate Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary have triggered protests in Karnataka.
The police in Bengaluru has issued an advisory to news channels to exercise "restraint and sensitivity" while reporting on the murder of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS worker last month and the celebration of 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary that have sparked protests.
"Certain TV channels have been telecasting provocative and inciting news reports/programmes (which) may cause disaffection amongst the member of public, igniting communal tension, resulting in serious law and order situation in the state of Karnataka and specifically in Bengaluru city," NS Megharik the Bengaluru Police Commissioner said.
Tipu Sultan's anniversary or Tipu Jayanti, to be celebrated on November 10, was first celebrated by the state government last year. It had sparked protests in Karnataka's Kodagu district.
Amid renewed protests led by the BJP, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday said that it will not interfere with the state government's decision to celebrate the occasion.
The advisory also refers to the coverage of the murder of Rudresh, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS worker in Bengaluru last month.
On October 16, Rudresh had been hacked to death by two men on a motorbike in broad daylight in the central and busy Shivajinagar area of Bengaluru.
Four arrests have been made so far in the case.
The murder had sparked off protests by RSS and BJP workers which had led to authorities issue curbs on large gatherings in various parts of Bengaluru last month.