Parties in Maharashtra slams Sena's act as 'uncultured', 'unpardonable'

Several political parties In Maharashtra today slammed as "unpardonable" and "uncultured" the alleged act of Shiv Sena MPs forcing a Muslim catering supervisor to break his Ramzan fast at Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.

"This is unpardonable. This is vigilante justice. Is this what we are going to see in the next five years," Former Union Minister Milind Deora said.

Congress ally NCP also reacted strongly, condemning the Sena MPs behaviour and demanding their arrest.

"Union home minister should ensure that a criminal case is lodged and the guilty arrested," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said.

"The goondagiri of Sena is nothing new. Their MPs and legislators behave in this manner," Malik said, adding "if they don't get good food, they should complain to the concerned committee, or approach the Lok Sabha Speaker or bring in a privilege motion," he added.

"But forcing a Muslim to break his roza shows their utter disregard for religious sentiments," he said.

Maharashtra Unit of the Samajwadi Party also criticised the incident.

"For the first time I am at a loss of words to comment on their behaviour towards muslims. These uncultured MPs should be given strict punishment and taught how to conduct themselves in public as they are now elected representatives," SP's Maharashtra President Abu Azmi said.

He added that Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray should conduct training camps for his MPs.

"Uddhav Thackeray should conduct a training camp for his MPs where they should be taught that they are not in their villages anymore. They have no regard for law and are destroying the image of politicians in front of the public. They do not deserve to be MPs," he said.

Bala Nandgaonkar of MNS said it was wrong for the Sena MPs to force a Muslim to break his fast.

"I am not completely aware of the incident. But if they did force a muslim to break his fast, it is very wrong. One should make sure that people of all religions are respected," he said.

There was outrage after videos emerged of a Shiv Sena MP allegedly thrusting chapati into the mouth of a catering worker over being served poor quality food last week.