Kamal Farooqi sacked as SP Secretary for his remarks about Yasin Bhatkal arrest

NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of his controversial remarks on Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, the Samajwadi Party today sacked Kamal Farooqi as party's Secretary.

SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav today shot off a letter to Farooqi informing him that party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has removed him as Secretary of the SP National Executive with immediate effect.

Farooqi had said Bhatkal may have been arrested because he was a Muslim. He had later apologised for his remark stating that his comments were misunderstood.

Farooqi's remarks had kicked up a controversy when he asked whether it is based on the grounds of crime or religion. Congress and BJP had slammed Farooqi for his comment calling it ridiculous.