B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan gives in, says let's name Haj Bhavan after APJ Abdul Kalam

Bengaluru: The state government is likely to name the Haj Bhavan here after former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Minority Welfare and Haj Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan has reportedly arrived at this decision in the wake of the controversy over his suggestion to name the bhavan after Tipu Sultan. Three weeks ago, Mr Khan had announced that the government would name the bhavan after Tipu Sultan. The BJP was the first to strongly oppose his announcement and demand that the government drop its plan.

The BJP had even threatened that it would launch an agitation if the government went ahead with its plan. The party had suggested that the bhavan be named after Kalam. Meanwhile, historian Ramachandra Guha had tweeted on the issue and suggested that the bhavan could be named after H.K. Kareem Khan, a Kannada folklore expert.

Sources in the Minority Welfare Department said that the issue would be discussed with MLAs and other leaders before taking a final decision. Union minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda had granted a piece land for the bhavan near Ramakrishna Hegdenagar in Bengaluru when he was Chief Minister.