Vishal Dadlani to quit political work after Jain monk tweet

Celebrity supporter of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), music director and singer, Vishal Dadlani on Saturday offered to quit all political work after his tweet on Jain religious leader Tarun Sagar created controversy.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed Dadlani's tweet on the religious leader as"unfortunate".

Highely revered religious leader of the Digambar Jain community monk Tarun Sagar addressed the Haryana assembly on Friday.

A day after the Jain monk's address, music director and AAP supporter Dadlani in a tweet, termed Tarun Sagar's speech as "monkery". However the perticular tweet was later removed.

Kejriwal tweeted, "Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj is a very revered saint, not just for Jains but everyone. Those showing disrespect is unfortunate and should stop."

"I met Shri Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj last year. Our family regularly listens to his discourses on TV. We deeply respect him and his thoughts," Kejriwal said in another tweet.

Delhi's Home Minister Satyendar Jain apologised for Dadlani's remark over the revered monk.

"I apologise for hurting feelings of Jain community by my friend Vishal Dadlani. I seek kshama (apology) from Muni Shri Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj," the Home Minister tweeted.

The singer's tweet on the Jain monk backfired as he was ridiculed by several followers of Jain sect.

Dadlani also apologised for his tweet.

"I apologise wholeheartedly. My tweet was against the overlap of religion & governance. Not any particular religion," Dadlani tweeted.

Responding to AAP National Convenor Kejriwal's tweet Dadlani tweeted, "I'm sorry to have offended you and your beliefs too, Sir. My intent was not to hurt anyone. Spoke without thinking".

He also announced to quit all the political work after the controversy.

"It feel bad that I hurt my Jain friends and my friends Arvind Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain. I hereby quit all active political work/affiliation," Dadlani tweeted.

--IANS

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