Shiv Sena demands "permanent suspension" of AIMIM MLA

MUMBAI: Unrelenting in its attack on AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan for refusing to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', the Shiv Sena today said he has been let off with a "soft" punishment and demanded his permanent suspension from the state assembly and disqualification from contesting the polls.

"Waris Pathan has been temporarily suspended from the Assembly but his crime is so grave that he should be permanently suspended and disqualified from contesting elections. He was awarded a soft punishment," the Sena said in an edit in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

It also sought to know why people from the minority community did not come forward in support of Rajya Sabha member Javed Akhtar when he spoke in support of the slogan.

"Time has come for Muslims to decide if they will support Javed Akhtar or Asaduddin Owaisi," it said.

Pathan, representing Byculla in South Mumbai, was on Wednesday suspended from Maharashtra Assembly for rest of the ongoing budget session, for refusing to chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' with legislators cutting across party lines pressing for action against him.