No intent to hurt religious sentiments, Uddhav Thackeray on Shiv Sena MP conduct

Mumbai: Amid an outrage over Shiv Sena MPs force-feeding a Muslim catering worker fasting during Ramzan, its President Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said the uproar over the incident was an attempt to "silence" his party's voice.

He, however, said despite being a votary of Hindutva, Shiv Sena had no hatred for other religions.

"This (uproar over the incident) is an attempt to silence Shiv Sena's voice. We are proponents of Hindutva but we don't have hatred for other religions," Uddhav told reporters in Aurangabad.

Read: Shiv Sena MP force-feeds Muslim staffer during Ramzan, remains unapologetic

There was an uproar in Parliament after video footage showed a Shiv Sena MP purportedly thrusting chapati into the mouth of a Muslim catering worker at Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi last week. They were reportedly angry over not being served Maharashtrian food.

As soon as the Lok Sabha assembled for the day, several Opposition members raised the issue and termed it as violation of religious beliefs.

Members from Congress, RJD, Trinamool Congress and AIMIM were on their feet raising the issue. PDP members too were seen waiving a paper but they could not be heard in the din.