Backlash over Shiv Sena MPs 'forcing' Muslim staffer to break fast at Maharashtra Sadan; Sena denies allegations

Around 11 members of Parliament from Maharashtra belonging to the Shiv Sena allegedly forced a Muslim catering supervisor to break his fast at Mahrashtra Sadan in New Delhi last week. However, Shiv Sena has denied all allegations.

The MPs were apparently angry over not being served Maharashtrian food, a daily reported. Snubbing religious sentiments, the Shiv Sainiks forced Arshad Zubair S, who was fasting for Ramzan, to eat a chapati. The incident took place when a group of around 15 MPs were discussing complaints about the lack of services at the sadan.

Indian Railways' IRCTC immediately suspended the catering service in protest. IRCTC complained in writing to the Maharashtra Resident Commissioner, saying the employee had been “deeply pained and hurt as religious sentiments are attached”. 

Rejecting all allegations, Shiv Sena MP sanjay Raut said, “These allegations are totally baseless. Its absolutely wrong. People who are giving it a religious angle should be taught a lesson.”

According to the daily, the Resident Commissioner apologised to IRCTC and Arshad, and asked to “meet him personally (to) convey the sentiments of our government”. 

The Maharashtra government has vowed to take an “appropriate action”.  The 11 Shiv Sena MPs named in the letter are - Sanjay Raut (Rajya Sabha), Anandrao Adsul (Amravati), Rajan Vichare (Thane), Arvind Sawant (Mumbai-South), Hemant Godse (Nashik), Krupal Tumane (Ramtek), Ravindra Gaikwad (Osmanabad), Vinayak Raut (Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg), Shivaji Adhalrao Patil (Shirur), Rahul Shewale (Mumbai-South Central) and Shrikant Shinde (Kalyan). 

Nationalist Congress Party general secretary Tariq Anwar said Shiv Sena isn't a responsible party and it has always been a group of anti-social people.

"The facilities aren't proper at Maharashtra Sadan. Incident is being given a communal colour, Maharashtra Chief Secy has visited Maha Sadan, we narrated the episode to him and he will carry out a probe," said Shiv Sena MP Rajan Vichare

In reaction to the incident, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majid Memon said an investigation must take place in the case and strict action should be taken against people involved. 

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant also denied the report, saying the MPs did not force catering supervisor to eat.

In the complaint, which was forwarded to Mallick, Arshad said, “All the guests along with media reporters and staffs of Maharashtra Sadan got into kitchen where I was getting the orders prepared. They caught me and put the chapati into my mouth. I was wearing a formal uniform set as prescribed by IRCTC and everybody in the panel also knew my name as ‘Arshad’ as I was wearing the name tag. Even then they inserted chapati in my mouth which caused my fast to break on the eve of Ramzan. I was hurt with the thing they have done as religious sentiments are concerned.”

Demanding public apology from the MP's, senior Congress leader Manish Tiwari said, “ The incident is absolutely reprehensible, should be condemned in the strongest possible manner. The MPs should tender a public apology.

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal, meanwhile, described the incident as “highly condemnable”, adding he knows the government would not take any action against this, “but it must”. 

In an e-mail sent to Resident Commissioner Bipin Mallick on July 17, IRCTC deputy GM Shankar Malhotra wrote: “Today there was a meeting of 12-15 MPs at New Maharashtra Sadan in the Press Conference Hall in which they were complaining about the services of Electrical, civil, housekeeping, catering, etc which they are facing from the last several months in the premises of Maharashtra Sadan.” 

"I was present there, the food served was of poor quality so we asked attendant to check quality. We didn't know his religion and to make an issue out of this is wrong" said Shiv Sena MP from Amravati Anandrao Adsul.

"If there is any truth in this matter then without any delay Central Govt must take strict action & arrest MPs," said BSP chief Mayavati.

“The entire delegation along with the electronic media and Manager, Maharashtra Sadan, walked inside the public dining hall and started throwing chafing dish covers in the buffet area. They also issued physical threats to the kitchen and service staff while using highly objectionable language. The specific incident happened with the Resident Manager/IRCTC, Sh. Arshad who was forced to consume full chapati whilst he was having fast on the eve of Ramzan. The concerned has been deeply pained and hurt on this account as religious sentiments are attached.” 

Condemning the Maharashtra Sadan, Ali Anwar of Janta Dal (U) said, “ Such incident should not be tolerated. FIR should be lodged against those MP's and there membership must be cancelled.

Malhotra said that the MPs “demanded a Maharashtrian caterer in the New Maharashtra Sadan. It may be noted that this is not the first time that such an incident has happened. We have received no support from the NMS management in this regard.” 

First published on Zee News