Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Savitri Bai Phule, who has recently taken a rebellious stance against her party over various issues, today praised Muhammad Ali Jinnah, hailing him as a 'mahapurush' who had contributed in India's freedom struggle.

"Jinnah was a great person who had contributed towards India's freedom struggle. He was great, he is and will remain so," the Bahraich MP said.

Recently, Phule has made several remarks against the party line and has condemned the state and the Central government for the treatment of Dalits. Last week, she called politicians visit to Dalit households an "insult" to the people. Her comments came in the backdrop of a controversy over the recent visit to a Dalit home by a UP government minister belonging to her own party. Other saffron party leaders too have also visited Dalit households in recent past.

Her recent remarks come as a controversy erupted over a portrait of Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus. Aligarh MP Satish Gautam had written AMU Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor, raising objection over Pakistan founder's picture on the walls of the AMU students union office.

Earlier, another BJP leader Swami Prasad Maurya had called Jinnah a great person. "t is shameful for anyone to point a finger on great leaders who contributed towards formation of the country," he was quoted as saying by the Times of India. He, however, later denied making such remarks.

Meanwhile, Student union secretary Mohammad Fahad today said that it was "impossible to believe" that Gautam was unaware of it till recently.

The MP had earlier told reporters that he had come to know about the portrait hanging at the office of the AMU student union only recently, and had immediately written to the AMU Vice Chancellor about it.

The University said that portraits of all student union life members hand on the walls of its office.

Fahad said a Right to Information reply confirming the existence of the Pakistan founders portrait was sent last year to all members of Aligarh Muslim University Court, which includes Aligarh MP Satish Gautam.

(With PTI inputs)