People at Yakub Memon’s funeral 'potential terrorists', says Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy

A day after Yakub Memon was hanged to death at Nagpur Central Jail for his role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, Tripura Governor Tathagata Ray sparked off a major controversy by terming people who assembled at his last rites as ‘potential terrorists’.

“Intelligence should keep a tab on all (except relatives & close friends) who assembled before Yakub Memon’s corpse. Many are potential terrorists,” he wrote on Twitter.

Intelligence shd keep a tab on all (expt relatives & close friends) who assembled bfr Yakub Memon's corpse. Many are potential terrorists

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 31, 2015

Predictably, cyber furore ensued after the controversial tweet, which prompted Roy to say that he was only concerned about the public. “Governors ought to be concerned about security of state. Intelligence keeping tab on Yakub's mourners is preventing terror. Better than cure,” he wrote, adding, “It is my constitutional duty to bring matters of public interest to public notice. My position as Governor is not thereby compromised.”

Governors ought to be concerned abt security of state. Intelligence keeping tab on Yakub's mourners is preventing terror. Better than cure

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 31, 2015

When I suggested 'intelligence keeping a tab',I mentiond NO COMMUNITY. So how come I'm accused of being 'communal bigot'? Guilty conscience?

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 31, 2015

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?

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 31, 2015

It is my Constitutional duty to bring matters of public interest to public notice. My position as Governor is not thereby compromised

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 31, 2015

I'm sure many of my detractors are discovering I didn't say what they thought I said-like targeting any community. So they have to bluster

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 31, 2015

Later, talking to a TV news channel, Roy said that he had excluded Memon's relatives and friends in his tweet. "Why did others come to see a man who was hanged. They must have sympathy for him," he said.

The Governor's tweets drew a lot of flak among political circles as well. Congress spokesperson in Bengal, Omprakash Mishra said that Roy should step down from his post. “We condemn such statements. A person who holds a constitutional post should refrain from making such statements,” Mishra said.

Senior leader of the Trinamool Congress, Subrata Mukherjee said that the party is going to take up the matter with the President and will write to him demanding Roy’s resignation. “His statements are unconstitutional and would lead to communal tension. Our party is going to write to the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee demanding his resignation,” said Mukherjee.

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.

With Agency Inputs