'Despite' being Muslim, Abdul Kalam was a great nationalist: Sharma

Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has triggered yet another row by saying that late president APJ Abdul Kalam was a great nationalist "despite" being a Muslim.

Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has triggered yet another row by saying that late president APJ Abdul Kalam was a great nationalist "despite" being a Muslim.

Sharma's comment has come against the backdrop of another row surrounding the resignation of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) Director Mahesh Rangarajan, which Congress has alleged was the result of "unbearable pressure" from 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 APJ Abdul Kalam Road.