In the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh saluted Sartaj's decision amid thumping of desks by members of the House.
"The government is proud of him (Sartaj) and I am sure Parliament too is," Singh said.
Reacting to the gesture, Saifullah said, "We thank them for this and it is a matter of happiness that they have acknowledged our decision. It is a good message for the country."
"It is a big gesture to laud a small man's decision, and sends out a good message to all countrymen," Sartaj, who lives in Kanpur, told reporters.
Sartaj had refused to take Saifullah's body, saying, "A traitor cannot be related to me, let alone be my son.