A Shiv Sena MP allegedly forced a Muslim staff member of the Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi to break his Ramadan fast by making him eat bread, according to Indian media reports.
The incident, which reportedly took place last week, sent shock waves through political circles.
However, the accused MP Sanjay Raut denied the allegation against him, saying that there seemed a plot to give a communal twist to the entire episode.
Shiv Sena MPs have been agitating against the allegedly flawed management of Maharashtra Bhavan, especially the official administrators who are accused of turning the Bhavan into their personal fief.
A senior Sena MP Anadrao Adsul denied media reports that a party MP had forcefully shoved a roti down the throat of an employee who was observing a fast for Ramazan. Adsul said that MPs were not even aware that the staff member belonged to the Muslim community.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which is the Indian Railways subsidiary catering to Maharashtra Sadan, has suspended all operations in protest against the incident.
There was uproar in both Houses of Parliament when reports surfaced that a Shiva Sena MP, supposedly angry over not receiving Maharashtrian food, forced a Muslim worker to eat bread, causing him to break his fast.
When the Lok Sabha gathered for the day, opposition leaders brought up the issue and declared it violation of religious beliefs.
