Huge row over bid to force-feed Muslim staffer of Maharashtra Sadan during roza
Parliament witnessed uproar on Wednesday over reports that a Shiv Sena MP forced food into the mouth of a Muslim staffer of Maharashtra Sadan in protest against the poor quality of food. In view of all-round condemnation of the incident, Shiv Sena MP from Thane Rajan Vichare feigned ignorance that the staffer was a Muslim and was on Ramazan fast. However, he was forced to apologise. “I came to know that the employee was a Muslim only after seeing TV footage. I regret it,” Vichare said.
Rajan Vichare was accompanied by 10 other MPs who were angry over not being served Maharashtrian food at Maharashtra Sadan. IRCTC that runs the canteen at Maharashtra Sadan has ordered a probe into the incident.
The issue rocked Parliament leading to brief adjournments in both Houses. During Zero Hour in the lok Sabha, Ramesh Biduri of the BJP and Assaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen rushed to the Well of the House and engaged in verbal duel when the former used unparliamentarily language to give the entire episode a communal twist. The member later apologised after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu disapproved his conduct. The lok Sabha witnessed a walkout by Congress, NCP, left, PDP and AIMIM over the issue.
“We are dealing with a sensitive issue... Don’t try to raise communal passions. Nobody knows the truth. Whether the incident has happened or not, we are not sure,” Naidu said seeking to douse the passions. He said the Government was in no way connected with the “unsavoury” incident. We need to enquire...let us not send wrong signals to the country.”
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Congress member M I Shanavas described the incident as shocking. “MPs who should be role models have become bad models...The faith of minorities has been tarnished. The House should condemn it,” he said. He also quoted a reported statements made by the concerned employee, Arshad, of Maharashtra Sadan. This followed heated exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches.
Reacting to Owaisi’s allegations, Union Minister Anant Geete said, “Those who want to respect the month of Ramzan should not make false statement in the House.” This triggered sharp protests from the Opposition. “Whatever the report has appeared is totally false and the Congress is trying to tarnish the image of the Government,” Geete said. At this point Biduri and Owaisi locked horns with each other.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the lok Sabha when the issue was raised. leader of the Congress in the lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wanted the issue to be referred to the Ethics Committee. When the lok Sabha re-assembled at 12.30 pm, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Naidu disapproved the conduct of the MPs and said there is “need for maintaining decency and decorum of the House... We should respect each other.”
In the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Javadekar said, “It is an unsubstantiated report. We should not take it to the next level. let it be ascertained. There are sensitivities involved.” Ali Anwar Ansari of the JD(U) raised the issue after Zero Hour, but Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he will allow him time after those who have given notices to raise their issues. Ansari was supported by Congress members. As he rushed to the Well of the House amid sharp exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches, Kurien adjourned the House for 10 minutes.
later, Ansari said the incident is an insult to the Constitution and demanded action against the MP. “Forcing roti into the mouth of a person observing fast is against the dignity of a person,” he said. As the uproar continued, Kurien said, “It has to be ascertained whether it is fact or not. The Government has assured that it will ascertain the issue and then come back to the House. Whatever action to be taken under the law, the Government will take after that.”
It was reported that a group of around 11 Shiv Sena MPs, apparently angry over not being served Maharashtrian food, allegedly forced a chapatti into the mouth of Muslim catering supervisor who was on fast last week. later talking to reporters in the afternoon, senior BJP leader lK Advani disapproved the controversial behavior of the Shiv Sena MP with the canteen employee. “This is wrong,” he said.