Force feeding Muslim Staffer: HC to hear PIL

The Delhi High Court will Aug 8 hear a petition seeking de-recognition of the Shiv Sena and direction for disqualification of 11 of its MPs for allegedly forcing a Muslim staffer to eat at Maharashtra Sadan during his Ramadan fast.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw would hear the PIL next week filed by NGO Garib Nawaz Foundation that also sought immediate arrest of the MPs for provoking religious sentiments.

It also sought initiation of criminal case against the Shiv Sena MPs, including Sanjay Rout and Rajan Vichare, who represents the Thane Lok Sabha constituency, and asked for direction to the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman to disqualify 11 of the Sena lawmakers.

It has been alleged that July 17, Vichare, irked over the poor quality of food, force-fed Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) employee Arshad Zubair, who was catering supervisor at Maharashtra Sadan, before some television cameras.

The IRCTC was providing food for Maharashtra Sadan.

The PIL said: "The action of the Shiv Sena MPs with the fasting Muslim supervisor was uncalled for and needed to be dealt with a strict action by party chief Udhav Thackeray."

It also sought a direction to the central government to order a high-level probe into the incident by a special investigation team headed by a sitting high court judge.

"Forcefully shoving a 'chapati' by MPs was a cowardly act as they are representatives of the people and are elected by the people for their service and not for provoking religious sentiments," said the plea.