After uproar, Salman Khan apologises, deletes controversial Yakub Memon tweets

Mumbai, Jul 27: Salman Khan has retracted his controversial tweets over the death sentence of 1993 Mumbai blasts accused Yakub Memon, following furore over his remarks, and has 'apologised unconditionally' for his remarks.

Earlier the Bajrangi Bhaijan star had faced flak over his tweets that condemned the hanging of Yakub Memon and demanded that Tiger Memon be brought, to justice instead, with the BJP, Shiv Sena protesting outside his home and even his father Salim Khan called his remarks as 'ignorant'.

Salman tweeted out his apology and deleted his previous tweets on the issue. He also, however, condemned those he called his tweets anti-religious and maintained that he respected all faiths and religions.

Earlier, Salman Khan on Sunday had tweeted out in support of 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon saying his brother Tiger should be hanged instead.

Salman tweeted, "Hang Tiger. Brother is being hanged for Tiger. Arre Where is Tiger? Get tiger hang him. Parade him not his brother."

The Bajrangi Bhaijaan superstar even called Yakub an innocent man and tweeted, "One innocent man killed is killing the humanity."

But talking to Times Now this morning, Salim Khan, Salman's father, said that the tweets does not mean anything, "Whatever Salman has written is totally meaningless. I do not support it. His tweets are wrong."

Shiv Sena chief, Uddhav Thackeray, also expressed his anger with Salman and asked whether the actor is trying to question the judicial system of the nation.

Salman's tweets drew severe flak from different quarters, BJP in Mumbai demanded cancellation of the actor's bail in the 2002 hit-and-run case.

Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar on Sunday met Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and submitted a letter requesting cancellation of bail granted to Salman by the Bombay High Court.

"I submitted a letter to the Governor requesting cancellation of bail of convicted Salman Khan for supporting a convict," said Shelar.

"Very disappointing to see Salman Khan ask for release of Yakub Memon. His (Salman's) bail should be cancelled on the basis of the support for crime," he said in a tweet.

"Yakub Memon worked on the mission of mass murder. His sympathy can only come from fellow convict who fails to appreciate mercy shown to him," Shelar added.

Salman also tweeted out to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to share details about Tiger's whereabouts and if he is currently hiding in the neighbouring country.

The Supreme Court had dismissed Yakub Memon's curative petition against death sentence earlier. The home department took the view that the fresh mercy petition is not legally tenable as such, and it should be dismissed and that Yakub should be hanged on 30 July as scheduled.

"All the issues raised by Yakub in his fresh mercy petition have been raised in his mercy petition before the President of India and curative petition before the apex court. Since his mercy petition as well as curative petition have been dismissed, we do not see any substance in his fresh mercy petition. As such, we feel that it should be dismissed," said a Raj Bhavan spokesperson.

The hanging is likely to take place at Nagpur Central Jail