APJ Abdul Kalam role model for all, including Muslims: VHP

New Delhi, Jul 28: Terming A P J Abdul Kalam's demise as an "irreparable loss", Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today said the former President was a role model for all, including Muslims who should look up to him for the progress of the community and the country.

Speaking at an interaction here, VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said Kalam was a person beyond the boundaries of any religion.

"But even if we consider him a Muslim, he is a role model for the Muslim society. Their role models cannot be Ghazni, Aurangzeb, Jinnah or leaders like Owaisi or Azam Khan.

"If the Muslims of the country have to progress, then they should accept A P J Abdul Kalam as their role model who spent each moment of his life for the country and its progress," Jain told reporters here.

Meanwhile, criticising those speaking in favour of Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon, Jain said they were showing a lack of faith in the judicial process. He claimed the letters in favour of Memon by the "secular gang" was an attempt to influence the legal process.

On a question related to building of Ram Temple at Ayodhya, Jain said the government had not given any assurance but only made a promise by including it in the manifesto. He said if the promise was not kept, the public could teach the government a lesson just like it did when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee failed to fulfill it.

He, however, expressed hope that the government would take action in this direction in the coming years.

On yesterday's terror attack in Punjab's Gurdaspur, Jain praised the government's handling of the situation and said both the Prime Minister and Home Minister had closely monitored the entire episode.

He also termed as "correct" the move by Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal to call off a meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner in the wake of the attack.

PTI