Even before the controversy over placing the Bible and Quran near late president APJ Abdul Kalam's statue could subside, a pro-Muslim group leader has come up with a shocking statement claiming that Abdul Kalam was not even a Muslim.

Jainulabudeen, leader of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath alleged that Kalam was not a Muslim as he prayed to idols and respected naked sadhus. "Before he became a president, nobody knew him. He was just another scientist in the crowd. BJP and the Sangh noticed him and lack of his objection to praying to idols or getting blessings from Sankarachariyar. This is why they made him the president," he alleged.

He went ahead and claimed that Abdul Kalam just had a Muslim name and that Thowheed Jamath will not protest for not placing a Quran in his memorial. Jaimulabudeen's comment is seen as a continuation to the controversy of the government placing a Bhagavad Gita next to his statue inside the memorial. The move was not taken lightly by the politicians of Tamil Nadu who objected to it.

Kalam's grand nephew tried to shut down the controversy by placing a Bible and Quran next to it which caused more issues as Hindu Makkal Katchi, a pro-Hindu group, protested in front of the memorial and made the cops remove the holy books. Surprisingly, central intelligence officers visited the memorial and had even questioned Kalam's family members for placing the holy books.

Jainulabudeen, reciprocating to these developments, stated that they would have been offended had a Quran be placed next to the statue of a man who didn't approve of idol worship. "We don't even mind if you adorn the statue with holy thread or apply holy ash to his face," he said.

Tamil Nadu, on the whole, is not appreciating the acts of tarnishing the legacy of the people's president by factional groups for their own ideological gain.

ALSO READ:

After Bhagavad Gita row, Bible and Quran placed next to APJ Abdul Kalam statue

PM Modi inaugurates 'missile man' APJ Kalam's memorial on his 2nd death anniversary

WATCH: Bible, Quran placed next to Abdul Kalam's statue following Bhagavad Gita controversy