Yakub Memon hanging: VHP says those who attended funeral 'sympathisers' of terrorist

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday urged the Muslim youth to follow the example of former President APJ Abdul Kalam and said those who attended the funeral of Yakub Memon were "sympathisers" and "followers" of a terrorist. "The Muslim youth should follow the example of President Kalam, who was true patriot and worked tirelessly for the country till his last breadth and not Asaduddin Owaisi, Azam Khan and Abu Asim Azmi," Surendra Jain, Joint General Secretary of the VHP said.

Speaking to reporters here, Jain said the Muslim community can only progress if they follow the footsteps of Kalam, who was a "great patriot." Attacking those who attended Memon's funeral, Jain said not all those who attended the ceremony were the relatives of 1993 Bombay blast accused. "Not all those who attended the funeral of Memon were relatives of Memon. Some 20,000 people were present and they are the ones who sympathised with the terrorist."

He also lashed out at the "Gang of 40", referring to those who signed the petition urging the President to commute Memon's death penalty. "After Yakub's hanging many wrote on social media saying 'Mein Yakub Hoon'. This Gang of 40 and Owaisi, Azmi and Azam give strength to such sentiments," Jain added.