Days after he promised to purge Indian culture of “polluting” and “western” influences, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has described former President APJ Abdul Kalam as a “great man” who was a “nationalist” and a “humanist” “despite being a Muslim”.

With these shocking words – uttered casually at the end of an interview to India Today TV a few days ago – Union Minister of Culture Mahesh Sharma has insulted but also the former President of India and all Indian Muslims.

Watch the interview here:

While justifying the decision to change the name of Aurangzeb Road to A P J Abdul Kalam Road, he said: “Aurangzeb Road ka bhi naam badal kar ek aise mahapurush ke naam par kiya hai jo Musalmaan hote hue bhi itna bada rashtravadi aur manavtavadi insaan tha, APJ Abdul Kalam, unke naam par kiya gaya hai (Aurangzeb Road has been named after such a great man who, despite being a Muslim, was a nationalist and a humanist, A P J Abdul Kalam. The road has been named after him).”

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