New Delhi, July 24 (IANS): BJP leaders on Friday slammed AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi for his remarks on the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon's expected hanging.

Hitting out at the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief, Law Minister Sadananda Gowda said "such statements show the mentality of the parliamentarian".

"People who have nationalistic approach will not talk like this. Memon deserved such punishment as he had committed a grave crime," Gowda told the media outside parliament.

Bharatiya Janata Party parliamentarian from Unnaon, Sakshi Maharaj, said, "This country is not run by Owaisi; Memon has been found guilty by the courts, not us. This politics of communalism should be stopped."

Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani rubbished Owaisi's remarks.

"It is not correct, our courts are impartial in such matters," said Jethmalani.

Addressing a public gathering in Hyderabad on Thursday, Owaisi said Memon was being hanged only because he belonged to a particular religion, adding that the death sentences of those convicted in the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi were commuted to life imprisonment.