Tripura Governor sparks row, says many of those who were at Yakub Memon's funeral could be terrorists

In a highly controversial remark, Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy said that those who attended 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts convict Yakub Memon's funeral could be possible terrorists.

"Intelligence should keep a tab on all (expt relatives & close friends) who assembled bfr Yakub Memon's corpse. Many are potential terrorists (sic)," he said in a tweet.

As the tweet sparked a row, the Governor clarified himself saying that he is only concerned about the security. "Governors ought to be concerned abt security of state. Intelligence keeping tab on Yakub's mourners is preventing terror. Better than cure," he said.

"When I suggested 'intelligence keeping a tab', I mentioned NO COMMUNITY. So how come I'm accused of being 'communal bigot'? Guilty conscience?," he said when he was accused of targeting a particular community.

He also added that it is his duty to bring matters of public interest to public notice. "My position as Governor is not thereby compromised. 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," he said in a series of tweets.

Roy assumed office as Governor in May 2015. He was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party's national executive since 2002 and the BJP Bengal president from 2002-2006.