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'Despite' being Muslim, Kalam was great nationalist, says Union Minister

  •   Fri, Sep 18 2015 08:25:13 PM

New Delhi, Sep 18 (PTI): Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has triggered a row by saying that late president A P J Abdul Kalam was a great nationalist "despite" being a Muslim.

Sharma's comment has come against the backdrop of row surrounding resignation of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) Director Mahesh Rangarajan, which the Congress has alleged that was the result of "unbearable pressure" mounted by the government.

The Union minister has also recently called for freeing the country of "cultural pollution" and teaching Mahabharata and Ramayana to students.

"We have renamed Aurangzeb Road after a person, who despite being a Muslim, is a great nationalist...." the Minister told a news channel.

On August 28, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) gave its nod to rename Aurangzeb Road in Lutyen's Delhi as A P J Abdul Kalam Road here
  

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  • Proud Indian, Kulshekar/Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam aapko Salaam.

    Actually he had set an example for our great corrupted politicians. Instead of worshiping & practicing his principles why the hell you are saying he was a good Nationalist. He was a very good human being. Though he was a Scientist, he was very down to earth person. Though he was a President of India for 5 years, one should salute his simplicity and learn from him. He set an examples for you our Great Indian corrupted Politicians. Shame on you guys.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • vincent rodrigues, katapadi/b'lore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Muslims are nationalist and why BjP brand them otherwise.Very unfortunate comment require accountability.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • JS,

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Do you notice now a days these basts not uttering a word against pakistan, quoting of our soldiers and all.. coz their party is in center now. Once Non BJP party comes to power all of sudden these patriotism of these thugs come to play. These are real deshdrohis who want only issues to be made to hide the main agenda like jobs, developments .......shame

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Saleem, mangalore/abu dhabi

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    "Despite being Muslim" what is the necessity of using such phrase. It sounds like Muslims cannot be a great nationalist? It feels like that, nationalism is belongs to any other religion but not Muslims. Look at their filthy mentality. There was countless Muslims fought and martyred for the cause of INdia's Independence, weren't they true nationalists? Mr. Sharma, stay on your limit, its a democratic country, what share you have in this country, every citizen of this country owns the same. Before uttering such statement in front of media, be a professional don't be a uncivilized.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suman, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    He said what everyone thinks worldwide... Media making issue out of everything.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • malika, udupi

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    kudh india ko looto our bolo hum nationalist....

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • mustahfa, mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    and the tragedy is ....
    neither BJP nor Minister will give any explanation for this...
    Why Muslims are treated so? do the patriotism limited to cheddis?

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Agnello DSouza, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    A true nationalist is the Indian who believes in diversity of India. A true nationalist govt. is the one that maximizes the potential of the country which this diversity produces and markets it to the world for the economic progress.
    While on one hand PM Modi is truly vying for our rightful place on the world stage, he is doing a disservice to himself and the nation by letting his communal constituents like Mahesh Sharma have a free ride.
    Mr Modi should take inspiration of our former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had built up a great legacy for himself by endearing to all Indians and follow his advice on following Raj Dharma rather limiting himself to being a Karma Yogi.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • YOUSUF K, BANAGALORE

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Culture..minister is uncultured and dont know the history

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • The Guru, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Whats wrong if people work during Chirstmas???? People who want avail holiday they can absolutely do it???

    Doesn't Army, police, doctors work during Christmas????

    Majority of the people in government are hindus who don't celebrate Christmas, so its absolutely right if we work on that day...

    Hope you forgot the proverb "Work is Worship"

    DisAgree [8] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lokesh, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Hello GURU, you should be working 7 days a week mate... because work is worship.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • abdul samad, mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    IM NOT SHOCKED CAUSE THIS PEOPLE ARE BELONGS TO GODSE IDEOLOGY

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    If we as a people allow this to go on uncontrolled then that day is not far off when the people with a similar ISIS like mentality will be ruling us !

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    These type of people make such comments which is nothing short of bigotry only because the Central government and it's leadership (remote controlled by the RSS) take a lenient attitude as they seem to be all birds of the same feather.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilfred Fernandes, Vamadapadavu/Dubai

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Whatever the POSTURING BJP do, the inner agenda will surface. Today "despite' being a Muslim.....and Tomorrow Despite being ST/ST.....and then Despite being a Dalit.......... This Brahaman minister thinks only Brahmins can be Nationalist.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohd, Mlore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Our love for nation can only be seen during India-Pakistan cricket match....
    BJPians and all politicians are involved in corruption...is this the love for nation?
    Majority of we Indians are are ready to bribe if it helps to get government benefits even if are not eligible...is this true love for nation?...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udupi

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    This minister is hard core corrupt politician n drunkard n womaniser despite being a hindu...

    DisAgree [7] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • The Guru, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udupi

    Guess you got confused with Saudi Diplomat... Try again next time

    DisAgree [12] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shaun, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Despite being a culture minister, he is so uncultured.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Seen the full interview yday on TV, this line is distorted & positioned out of contexct. Pseudo secularists are baying for Sharma's blood without understanding the dialogue in its entirity

    Frustrations & venom spewing at its all time high

    DisAgree [14] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    j.anata, for how long are you going to defend cattle class DUKKARS ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jayraj, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Shame....is this guy for real? And he is nation's cultural minister in 21st century? Are we going backwards towards the stoneage? Shame on you mr. Uncultured minister. It's very unfortunate that we have uneducated people ruling us.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • jd, mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Our PM has no time to check what is happening back home. Everything is let loose, so cultural minister going wayward, is expected.

    Problem is, the whole atmosphere is filled with sulphide now. Unless you are a ram bakth, you are not a desh bakth. Unless you are a BD, VHP, RSS, Ram Sene etc, you are anti national. As though, all that has happened in last 68 years of Independent India is dismissable. So many silicon valley higher posts are held by Indians and they or their parents do not draw from India. India is the software hub of the world, but it is not an achievement of Independent India. In medical field we have so many personnel, in every country respectable service posts are held by Indians..... all these are no achievements for the bhakths. For them achievement would be... forget it. There is a saying in kannada "konana munde tuturi ...'

    By the time the BJP rule ends India would be back (term)2 years. Even those few everywhere will be looked down upon, for our mindset.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    What crimes have we committed to be ruled by DUFFERS ...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Sadly ministers after ministers,statements after statements which were below level of culture,commonsense and not far with std of Indian politics made in public domain time & again but Modi or RSS remind mute spectator!It is a big embarrassment for Modi Govt as integrity of Muslims towards it's nation was question which did not spare MK Gandhi like personality Late Abdul Kalam....BJP ministers showed their std,nationalism and mindset.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    However much you may try, a tail cannot be straightened ...

    DisAgree [7] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Jossey,
    This is what I have been writing all along. Corruption can be reduced/minimized but communal minds are almost impossible to change.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lawrence, India

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    It is like saying "Mahatma Gandhi is a nationalist despite being a Hindu" Uh !!!

    What kind of potheads we have in power?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • For Justice, Abu Dhabi / Ubar

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    Despite being a uncultured tongue he is CULTURAL MINISTER! What a joke!!!

    One by one MINI FEKUS are coming out from the mole to utter nonsense things inspired by SENIOR FEKU...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jafer, Ullal

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    What else can we expect from an uncultured Minister belongs to an uncultured organization which propagates uncultured nationalism

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gladson, Brahmavar

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    He has just put into words what the entire BJP, RSS and their affiliates feel about Minorities of India. For them nationalism, patriotism is their private property inherited from so called patriots of pre-Independent India. Hardly do they know that in actual they are followers of a bunch of cowards who supported the British and stayed away from the Independence movement and struggle. RSS and its affiliates whose contribution in nation building is nothing but zero are today claiming to be the vanguards of integrity and patriotism. Do Muslims, Christians and anyone else require certificate from RSS and BJP to prove our nationalism and patriotism? Hatred and division runs through each veins of theirs and yet they seek proof of Minorities' love for India and being Indian.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hussain, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    RSS /jansanghee/bjp workers never fought for indias independence. Despite lived in this country they were supporting British. Vajpayee was revealing hide outs of communist who were fighting British , the affidavits still available in Delhi museum . Guru golwalker addressing chaddis "don't waste your energy and time fighting British .save it to fight minorities after independence". A NARROW MINDED NATIONALIST

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anil, dubai

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Despite being culture minister he is Idiot..... no wonder chaiwala uneducated feku has bunch of idiot fools in his cabinet...... It shows how great MAHAN our India is? People of India its my simple sincere request with you... dont go behind religion and elect un-ethical, un-educated bunch of fools as your minister and ask them to form government..... remember they're sent to parliament to rule, govern n prosper India and not your religioun..... Feku was right when he said it takes another 25years fof Ache Din.... coz with this fekus foolish dicicive policy no obe gonna invest in India and its very cleaf the way rupee is tumbling against dollar and our NRI PM is busy in giving upadeshas and speeches on foreign soil thinking everyone who is governing on this earth are fools n un-educated like him. Mr PM of India wake up from your sleep anc bd avmanmof word and fulfill your promises of election manifesto. On your birthday the honerable President in a soft way reminded you the months you spent in delhi as PM indicating your promises are still promises and the people if this country are watching you..... if you have sense the message is enough to read between the lines but what to do you are so dump you tookmit as a positive appreciation towards your achievements..... what else we Indians can expect from chaiwala feku PM?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Many fellow patriot Daiji boarders who belong to Hindu community are quite often called by (self proclaiming) desh bhakt's as anti-nationals for reasons better known to them.

    Is it right...???? can we expect clarification on the correctness or otherwise of this anomaly from bhakt's.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, B'luru

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    I dont think that the minister has uttered the views Dr Kalam with intention to hurt muslims.Many people in high places do commit such mistakes unknowingly/casually.
    I also do not why Congress is so upset and furious about the issue and showing so much love towards Dr.Kalam now,when in 2007 his term as President completed there was news that he will be nominatd for the coveted post for a second term.But then UPA headed by Sonia strongly opposed him for second term as PM.Laloo was the master mind of this preposition seconded by Sonia.For them Dr.Kalam was a NDA/BJP candidate is the only reason.......Congress people have no job now and the BJP minsiter Sharma has feeded them with fodder unknowingly/knowingly.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bollu, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    No Indian needs nationalist certificate from these stinking Chaddis.These chaddis should be confined to their stinking shakhas.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • kabi, mangalore

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    force him to resign his post uneducated inhuman should not be a leader

    DisAgree [6] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    If these big mouth Cabinet Ministers are forced to resign, plastic status must be placed on the seats and simply the IAS officers can run the show.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vantage Point, Mangaluru

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Who cares your lesson on patriotism....This shows howmuch hatred and skepticism BJP/RSS breed have towards muslims...Preach your lessons on patriotism somewhere else...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Allen, Mangaluru

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    'Despite' being uncultured this man is a Union Culture Minister!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • nkshetty, Mlore

    Sat, Sep 19 2015

    So True. Cultural minister is totally uncultured. Disgusting. Sorry to all by muslim bro's.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Only the BJP-RSS-VHP-BDs etc are the nationalists according to the high caste class Mahesh Sharma.

    The minorities are illegal refugees.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Even after knowing great soul like APJ Kalam, This statement from a Union Minister is so silly. Can't understand human values, Fanatic it seems!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Surendra Poojari, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    You mean to say all hindus are nationalists? I can list out hindus who are anti nationals. Don't bring religion, caste and creed Mr. Minister. You are not the king or dictator here. You are elected by the people to serve the people.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [52] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.M. Nawaz kukkikatte, Dubai

    Fri, Sep 18 2015


    U think ur Govt. "Despite" you everything!
    At least respect your post.
    "Mike mila tho jaan hila"

    DisAgree [3] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hussain, Abudhabi

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    No wonder why he said that .. If you've been to chaddi shakha then that's the thing they teach you.. Even here in DW few people decide who is nationalist and traitor !!!

    Our Govt is run by bunch of jokers
    They can ban anything but loose tongue and communal minds is default

    DisAgree [5] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohidin , Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Another idiot in Feku's cabinet, Despite being a minister he is useless and proved

    DisAgree [3] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Clifford, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Is this guy called culture minister? Does he think only hindus' are nationalists and rest are not? He should be sacked for making this silly remark.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    What is 'DESPITE BEING MUSLIM KALAM WAS GREAT NATIONALIST'

    DESPITE UNION MINISTER, SHARMA IS UNCULTURED,UNEDUCATED & FOOLISH.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [54] Reply Report Abuse

  • ibrahim, Mangaluru

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    He is not fit to that job, he does not know what he is talking about. Hope he will be removed from his post for his reckless stupid comments. Man does not know about abc of Islam..talks nonsense.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Despite being a Doctor, he speak like a 10th Standard ...

    DisAgree [8] Agree [59] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    When a religion or political ideology brainwash the blind and gullible followers, their education is not at all valid while they make statements. The current BJP regime is not a political operation though they came into power through popular ballot but now in reality, it has been turned as a "deity worship". Deity worship is seen only in religions.

    One cabinet Minister came straight from the forest made a statement that all the non-Hindus of India are ba.....ds. The minority religious people are challenged with a great problem to find their fathers.

    Serial actress wanted to wipe off the most celebrated holiday in the world called "Christmas" from the Indian calendar.

    Now another Cabinet Minister is telling openly to the 2nd largest Muslim population of the world located in India, Muslims are not nationalists. Where India is headed?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 18 2015

    Dear A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.,

    No Prime Ministers of India ever had made compulsion to work on Holy Christmas and on Holy Good Friday except the Chaddy RSS man, The Chaaiwaala P.M., to A.M., 24X7 working himself and making compulsion to work on Holy Christmas and on Holy Good Friday.

    The Chaaiwaala will learn more when he realizes his blunders after meeting with world leaders.

    DisAgree Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse


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