New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS): Criticising union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma over his remark about former president A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the Congress on Friday said the National Democratic Alliance government was dividing people.

Commenting on the minister's remarks that "Kalam was a nationalist and a humanist despite being Muslim", Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmed told a press conference that thousands of Muslims fought for the country's independence and hundreds of them even died fighting for it.

"I am a Muslim and I am also a patriot. My father and grandfather were also patriot and we are practicing Islam for many generations," he said, while terming Sharma's remark as senseless.

He said that people like Sharma ruling the country was a cause of concern.

Sharma made the comment on Thursday while speaking on India Today TV news channel, in which he justified the decision to change the name of Auranzeb Road to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Road.