As the Congress government in Karnataka went ahead with 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary celebrations today, protests erupted at many places in the state. Tipu Sultan died in 1799, but it was only in 2015 that the state government decided to officially celebrate his birthday while describing him as one of the earliest freedom fighters. However, the decision met with resistance from the right wing which sees him as a bigoted tyrant who forcefully converted thousands and killed thousands.