Mysuru: In a big embarrassment to the BJP, party leader, MLC and former minister AH Vishwanath, who defected from the JDS in 2019 to help the BJP form a government in the state termed Tipu Sultan as the son of soil.

“Tipu is the son of this soil. He is a great warrior. He doesn’t belong to any particular caste or religion. We must all respect him,” said Vishwanath.

“Students should read from Tipu to Gandhiji,” he said.

His statement comes as a big embarrassment to the BJP, which has been opposing Tipu Jayanthi. Recently the BSY Government also made an attempt to remove lessons on Tipu from the state textbooks.

Party general secretary Ravi Kumar termed Vishwanath’s statement wrong and misleading. “I suggest him to read Tipu’s history before glorifying him,” he said.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders welcomed Vishwanath’s statement. Party leader Eshwar Khandre asked the BJP leaders to respect the truth.