Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy sparked a controversy on Friday after he claimed that those who attended 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon's funeral were "are potential terrorists", and that intelligence agencies should keep a tab on them.
Intelligence shd keep a tab on all (expt relatives & close friends) who assembled bfr Yakub Memon's corpse. Many are potential terrorists
β Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 31, 2015
Memon was hanged yesterday in Mumbai after a closely-contested judicial battle that was only settled less than a couple of hours before his eventual execution. His funeral took place later Thursday evening amid tight security.
"Governors ought to be concerned abt security of state. Intelligence keeping tab on Yakub's mourners is preventing terror. Better than cure [sic]," tweeted Roy, who assumed office earlier this year in May.
The BJP national executive member continued to tweet through the day, defending his stance, even as he faced a volley of angry reactions for his comments. Several people slammed him for being communalist.
Seriously: this Tripura guv deserves presidential reprimand. Since @RashtrapatiBhvn sworn to protect constitution, Pranab can't ignore this
β Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) July 31, 2015
@tathagata2 This is the first time that I get to say that I have met an inane and degenerate governor.
β Rai Bahadur Singh (@niff_tee) July 31, 2015
@tathagata2 Sir, you seem to be a larger threat to this nation. Intelligence, beware.
β Gargi (@gargipaigude) July 31, 2015
@tathagata2 Holding a constitutional post of a Governor,My head hangs in shame that u hv made such a comment PL Resign..sad state of affairs
β Khadeer (@mkhadeerahmed) July 31, 2015
@tathagata2 shame on you Mr governor ! u betrayed constitutional values by this single tweet
β omesh meena (@meomiitd) July 31, 2015
@tathagata2 Well done Sir. By one tweet, you have earned enough Brownie points from d High command to take notice and be given higher posts
β Huss (@huss23) July 31, 2015
Criticising Roy, former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said he occupies a constitutional post and his comments were not in line with the Constitution.
"He should not have resorted to Twitter if he wants to give any advise to the government. He could have told the chief minister (of the state) or he could have sent a message to him," Chatterjee said.
Meanwhile senior Trinamool Congress leader and state minister Subrata Mukherjee said Roy should remember that he is occupying a constitutional position.
"He should be immediately dropped without any further delay. I am saying this as a citizen of the country," Mukherjee added.
Roy defended himself saying that he had not mentioned any single community, and that those who accused him of being a "communal bigot" simply have a "guilty conscience".
Oh,what an explosion! I am gratified! But consider seriously: 1.Did I talk abt any community? 2. Did I ask for action or just keeping tabs?
β Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 31, 2015
Calling it his "constitutional duty" to bring such matters of public interest to public notice, he said that his position as Governor is not compromised by his statement.
"I'm sure many of my detractors are discovering I didn't say what they thought I said-like targeting any community," said Roy. "So they have to bluster."
(with PTI inputs)
Contact HuffPost India