Edu Min seeks report on demand to remove Tipu lesson from

Karnataka Minister Suresh Kumar on Monday askedofficials to look into the demand of a BJP MLA that the lesson on Tipu Sultan, the controversial 18th century ruler of erstwhile Mysore Kingdom beremoved from history textbooks, and submit a report in three days.

The Primary andSecondary Education Minister has written a note to the Managing Director of Karnataka Textbook Society, asking them to invite the MLA, Appachu Ranjan and discuss the matter.

"As per the request of the MLA, call a meeting of history textbook drafting committee, regarding the lesson on Tipu Sultan in history textbook.

Invite (BJP) MLA Appachu Ranjan for the meeting and discuss the need for the lesson.. to keep it or to remove it, and submit a report to me in three days," Kumar said in the note.

Ranjan had last week writtento the minister demanding that the lesson on Tipu Sultan beremoved.

Speaking to reporters, Ranjan had alleged that Tipu had converted thousands of Christians and Kodavas, to Islam forcibly and that he had run his administration in Persian language, and was not a freedom fighter.

Quoting Ranjan, Kumar in the note says, "The MLA has said that state government in Middle school history textbook has lesson about Tipu Sultan. Without knowing completely abouthis history it has been inserted as a lesson, so contents of the lesson are not true.

He has been just glorified andprojected."