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

Dangerous law
Updated 17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

It must remember that the same law can be weaponised against it one day, just as Peca was when the PTI took power.
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...
Dubai properties
Updated 16 May, 2024

Dubai properties

It is hoped that any investigation that is conducted will be fair and that no wrongdoing will be excused.
In good faith
16 May, 2024

In good faith

THE ‘P’ in PTI might as well stand for perplexing. After a constant yo-yoing around holding talks, the PTI has...
CTDs’ shortcomings
16 May, 2024

CTDs’ shortcomings

WHILE threats from terrorist groups need to be countered on the battlefield through military means, long-term ...