Shiva Sena MP allegedly forces Muslim worker to break fast

Published July 23, 2014
Arshad Zubair, the Muslim staffer, who was allegedly forced to eat while fasting for Ramadan. — Photo courtesy: ndtv
Arshad Zubair, the Muslim staffer, who was allegedly forced to eat while fasting for Ramadan. — Photo courtesy: ndtv

A Shiv Sena MP allegedly forced a Muslim staff member of the Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi to break his Ramadan fast by making him eat bread, according to Indian media reports.

The incident, which reportedly took place last week, sent shockwaves through political circles.

However, the accused MP Sanjay Raut denied the allegation against him, saying that there seemed a plot to give a communal twist to the entire episode.

Shiv Sena MPs have been agitating against the allegedly flawed management of Maharashtra Bhavan, especially the official administrators who are accused of turning the Bhavan into their personal fief.

A senior Sena MP Anadrao Adsul denied media reports that a party MP had forcefully shoved a roti down the throat of an employee who was observing a fast for Ramazan.

Adsul said that MPs were not even aware that the staff member belonged to the Muslim community.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which is the Indian Railways subsidiary catering to Maharashtra Sadan, has suspended all operations in protest against the incident.

There was uproar in both Houses of Parliament when reports surfaced that a Shiva Sena MP, supposedly angry over not receiving Maharashtrian food, forced a Muslim worker to eat bread, causing him to break his fast.

When the Lok Sabha gathered for the day, opposition leaders brought up the issue and declared it violation of religious beliefs.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...