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.”

Bopaiah, who represents the Virajpet 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.