Uproar in Lok Sabha: Shiv Sena MPs force fasting Muslim staffer to eat during Ramazan!

A Muslim catering supervisor was forced to eat by Shiv Sena MPs while he was observing fast during Ramazan.

Updated: July 23, 2014 2:43 PM IST

By Nithya Nair

Uproar in Lok Sabha: Shiv Sena MPs force fasting Muslim staffer to eat during Ramazan!

Shiv Sena MPs force fasting Muslim staffer to eat, Sena denies allegations

In what can be termed as a highly sensitive act of its kind, a Muslim catering supervisor was allegedly forced to eat while he was observing fast in the month of Ramazan. At least 11 members of parliament from the Shiv Sena reportedly forced Arshad Zubair to eat chapatis at the new Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi last week. The MPs were furious over the catering service for not providing them Maharashtrian food, which made them commit an act that has now provoked religious sentiments.

In protest, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) suspended the catering service. In a letter to the Maharashtra Resident Commissioner, IRCTC said that the employee had “been deeply pained and hurt… as religious sentiments are attached”.

In the complaint which was  sent to Resident Commissioner, Bipin 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.”

The Resident Commissioner apologised to IRCTC and Arshad and said that he wants to meet him personally to convey the sentiments of the government. However, the Shiv Sena MP, Sanja Raut said, “These allegations are totally baseless. Its absolutely wrong. People who are giving it a religious angle should be taught a lesson.” While Shiv Sena MP from Amravati Anandra Adsul said, “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.”

The Lok Sabha was adjourned after there was an uproar in the Lok Sabha today because of this incident. Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwak described the incident as “highly condemnable”. BSP leader Mayawati also commented on the issue saying, “If it is true, then without delay, the government should take strict action against the Sena MPs.”

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