New Delhi, July 24 (IANS): A petition was filed in the Delhi High Court Thursday seeking de-recognition of the Shiv Sena and direction for disqualification of 11 of its MPs for allegedly forcing a Muslim staffer to eat at the Maharashtra Sadan during his Ramadan fast.
The PIL filed by NGO Garib Nawaz Foundation also sought immediate arrest of MPs for provoking religious sentiments against the minority community.
It also sought initiation of criminal case against the MPs including Sanjay Rout and Rajan Vichare, who represents Thane Lok Sabha seat, and asked for direction to the Lok Sabha speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman to disqualify 11 of its lawmakers.
It has been alleged that on July 17, Vichare, irked over the poor quality of food, force-fed Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) employee Arshad Zubair, who was Maharashtra Sadan catering supervisor, before some television cameras. The IRCTC was providing food for Maharashtra Sadan.
The PIL said: "The action of the Shiv Sena MPs with the fasting Muslim supervisor was uncalled for and needed to be dealt with a strict action by party chief Udhav Thackeray."
The petition, which is likely to come up for hearing on July 30, also sought a direction to the central government to order a high level probe into the incident by a special investigation team headed by a sitting high court judge.
"Forcefully shoving a 'chapati' by MPs was a cowardly act as they are representatives of the people and are elected by the people for their service and not for provoking religious sentiments," said the plea.