Ironically, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who drew ire for his controversial remark on APJ Abdul Kalam, will be allotted the Delhi bungalow of the former Indian President.
Last month, Mahesh Sharma sparked outrage after he remarked that Kalam was a nationalist and humanist despite being a Muslim.
However, the No 10 Rajaji Marg bungalow, where Kalam lived from 2007 till his death in July this year, will be given to the minister of state for Culture.
"I have a lot of respect for him. The walls of the house will keep his memories and ideals alive for me," Sharma told the media.
Meanwhile, a Tamil Nadu journalist filed a petition, "Don't Insult Dr. Abdul Kalam!" on Change.org website, calling for conversion of the building into a Knowledge Centre.
"Thousands of Dr. Kalam's books and documents that he worked on through his life, the Veena that he often played, are being boxed up, so that Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who has been in the news recently for his sexist and discriminatory comments, can move in," stated the petition.
Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra has also come forward in support of the petition, saying that the former President's belongings should be handed over to the Delhi government if the Centre lacks enough resources and space to create a memorial for Abdul Kalam.
