Bengaluru, Jun 24 (DHNS): BJP leader K G Bopaiah on Saturday warned that "the entire state will burn" if the government renames the Haj Bhavan in Bengaluru after 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.

The former Legislative Assembly speaker said the Haj Bhavan was meant for Haj pilgrims.

"It wasn't built to be named after Tipu Sultan, who was a traitor, murderer and one who converted Hindus," he told reporters. "It will lead to the entire state burning."

K G Bopaiah

Bopaiah, who represents the Virajpete constituency in Kodagu district, said it was the BJP that sanctioned the Haj Bhavan. "In my district, Tipu Sultan destroyed 310 temples and converted over 80,000 Hindus. Even today, Kodagu people see Tipu as a traitor and a fanatic. There will be severe protests in Kodagu (if the Haj Bhavan is renamed)," he said.

On Friday, Minority Welfare and Wakf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan said the government received proposals from the Muslim religious scholars demanding that the Haj Bhavan be renamed as Hazrat Tipu Sultan Haj Ghar. The minister said a decision would be taken after consulting Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

The BJP has threatened state-wide protests if the Haj Bhavan is renamed after Tipu Sultan.