Shahnawaz reacts to Thackeray's words against Dr Kalam

Raipur, Feb 6 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today expressed disapproval against Shiv Sena (SS) supremo Bal Thackeray's reported remarks against the president by saying that Dr A P J Abdul Kalam did not need anybody's certificate to prove his patriotism.

''Such taunts could have been avoided. I think the selection of words was not appropriate,'' BJP Minorities Cell President and former union minister Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here.

Pointing out that ''Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians'' are proud of the president, he said that Dr Kalam received the Bharat Ratna even before being elected to the august office.

''Every citizen is proud of him. I know that the SS and its leaders too held him in high esteem,'' Mr Hussain added.

The SS chief had criticised Dr Kalam, accusing him of having ''failed'' to take any decision on the death sentence awarded to Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru and alleging that there was no other example where the president did not take a decision on a clemency plea for over four months.

Later at a press conference, Mr Thackeray said that he stood by his earlier criticism.

Mr Hussain pointed out that the procedure for granting clemency was clear and the president acted on the cabinet's advice. He said that it was for the government, ''headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and controlled by United Progresive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi'' to decide on it.

Replying to a question, Mr Hussain said that the Sachchar Committee report on minorities potrayed only the weaker side and did not reflect the whole picture. ''Did the committee try to find out how many Muslims are there in the Indian cricket team, film industry and in artisan jobs,'' he asked.

Mr Hussain alleged that the Congress was trying to appease and win back the confidence of Muslims through such ''gimmicks''.

UNI