Shiv Sena accepts it after video footage goes viral

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Sadan incident and the subsequent pressure piled on by the Opposition have pushed the Shiv Sena into a corner, with the video footage of Sena MP Rajan Vichare shoving food into a Muslim catering supervisor’s mouth during his fasting period going viral on national TV as well as on social media.

Sena, which was dourly defending its role, had to retract and accept responsibility. Under pressure to issue a statement, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said his party did not mean to hurt any community’s sentiments. Vichare, who is in the middle of this controversy, tried to defend himself feebly. “I was upset with the food and I reacted. But I did not even know that the canteen supervisor was a Muslim. I did not mean to hurt any religious sentiments.”

Congress leader Radhid Alvi said in Delhi: “Not only should a criminal case be lodged against them, their membership to Parliament should be withdrawn.” Asaddudin Qwaisi, President of MIM, said, “They knew he was a Muslim and he repeatedly said he is fasting... They assaulted him and made him break his fast.” Owaisi’s party is active in some parts of the Marathwada region in Maharashtra.