The union home minister Rajnath Singh has described the ‘forced-feeding’ of an IRCTC official by a Shiv Sena MP at Maharashtra Sadan, who was on fasting on Ramzan, as unfortunate and highly regrettable.
Earlier, Singh has avoided the media after he was asked to comment on the matter but on Friday he made a statement in the Rajya Sabha where he said, ‘I would like to inform this House through Hon’ble chairman that the incident was regrettable and unfortunate.’
He further said, ‘Our government is committed to safeguard religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution to its citizen and I would like to ask members of the House to make constant efforts for maintaining religious harmony in our country.’
He claimed that as per report received by his ministry by the Maharashtra government it was learnt that on 17 July at around 11.30 am a few MPs from Maharashtra expressed their objection to the quality of food being served by IRCTC at the New Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.
‘Thereafter, they have demanded immediate discontinuation of IRCTC services. It has also been informed that MPs entered the front office and also the kitchen room of the Resident Commissioner and expressed their objection. Then they have reportedly tried to feed chapati to Arshad Zubair, resident manager of IRCTC, while taking exception to the quality of food being served,’ Singh informed the Upper House.
‘No complaint has been filed by Arshad Zubair with the local police. The Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra Sadan has apprised the chief secretary of Maharashtra about this matter. However, no complaint has been filed by him,’ he added.
Earlier, Singh has avoided the media after he was asked to comment on the matter but on Friday he made a statement in the Rajya Sabha where he said, ‘I would like to inform this House through Hon’ble chairman that the incident was regrettable and unfortunate.’
He further said, ‘Our government is committed to safeguard religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution to its citizen and I would like to ask members of the House to make constant efforts for maintaining religious harmony in our country.’
He claimed that as per report received by his ministry by the Maharashtra government it was learnt that on 17 July at around 11.30 am a few MPs from Maharashtra expressed their objection to the quality of food being served by IRCTC at the New Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.
‘Thereafter, they have demanded immediate discontinuation of IRCTC services. It has also been informed that MPs entered the front office and also the kitchen room of the Resident Commissioner and expressed their objection. Then they have reportedly tried to feed chapati to Arshad Zubair, resident manager of IRCTC, while taking exception to the quality of food being served,’ Singh informed the Upper House.
‘No complaint has been filed by Arshad Zubair with the local police. The Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra Sadan has apprised the chief secretary of Maharashtra about this matter. However, no complaint has been filed by him,’ he added.