Union Minister Murugan slams DMK govt over Coimbatore serial blast mastermind's funeral procession

New Delhi [India], December 18 (ANI): Union Minister L Murugan on Wednesday condemned the DMK government in Tamil Nadu for allowing the funeral procession of SA Basha, the mastermind of the 1998 serial bombings in Coimbatore.
"I strongly condemn the DMK government. The DMK government is supporting the terrorist who was involved in the 1998 Coimbatore blast. More than 56 persons died in that blast," Murugan told ANI.
The Minister pointed out that the target of the bomb blast was senior BJP leader LK Advani and it took the lives of 56 people and injured several others.
"We all know that our senior leader Advani was going to participate in a public rally where the blast took place. Almost 56 people died and more than 100 people got injured. DMK government is not bothered about those who sacrificed their lives," Murugan said.
"They are supporting the terrorists. This process and the DMK government has to be stopped and the DMK government has to maintain law and order situation in the state of Tamil Nadu," he added.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also lashed out at the INDIA bloc over the state government allowing SA Basha's funeral procession.
Basha, founder of the Al-Ummar outfit, died from illness while he was out on parole. He was serving time in jail for his role as the mastermind of the 1998 serial blasts.
"Shocker from Tamil Nadu. 1998 Coimbatore blast mastermind who murdered 58 Indians and injured 231 others given a state-sponsored "martyr" status! Namaz E Janaza allowed for a terrorist and he is hailed as state police watches on and gives security!" BJP leader Poonawalla posted on X.
He further accused the INDIA alliance of putting "vote bank security" above "national security."
"Why was Basha's Janaza allowed? Because INDI puts vote bank security above national security. From hailing Afzal to now Basha- from saving SIMI to PFI- this is INDI ka aatanki prem," Poonawalla said.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai on Wednesday said that the DMK government allowing Basha's funeral procession shows that the ruling party was indulged in "minority appeasement."
"It only shows to what level the DMK government is involved in minority appeasement... A person (SA Basha) who took the lives of innocent people died during parole... This is shameful (the allowing of the funeral procession) ...Coimbatore BJP unit will observe a black day on coming Friday because the law and order has died today..." Annamalai told reporters.
Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan defended the funeral procession, saying that it was the right of the family. He said that the government had nothing to do with this procession.
"It is their right. The family of a deceased takes out a funeral procession... BJP celebrates the birthday of Gandhi's assassin... The government has nothing to do with this procession. How can we stop someone's last rites?" Elangovan remarked. (ANI)