New Delhi, July 23
Both Houses of Parliament saw frayed tempers, ugly scenes, protests and also an apology from a BJP MP today following reports that Shiv Sena MPs allegedly force-fed a fasting Muslim worker at Maharashtra Sadan.

The government dismissed the allegations against the Shiv Sena and said they needed to be verified, this despite that news channels beamed visuals showing how Sena MPs force-fed a ‘chapati’ to Arshad Zubair despite he having told them that he was fasting.

Zubair is an employee of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, which runs the catering service at Maharashtra Sadan.

MPs in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha demanded action against the Shiv Sena MPs who vociferously denied the reports. Both the Houses witnessed adjournments as the Oppostion wanted to raise the issue which was opposed by the Shiv Sena. The Lok Sabha also witnessed a walkout by the Congress, NCP, Left, PDP, AIMIM and the Aam Aadmi Party.

Union Minister Anant Geete (Shiv Sena) defended the act saying "those who want to respect the month of Ramzan should not make false statement in the House" triggering protests from the Opposition.

In the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Javadekar said: "It is an unsubstantiated report."

In the Lok Sabha, Ramesh Bidhuri, a BJP MP from South Delhi, rushed to the well and used unparliamentarily language. BJP leaders LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj were visibly annoyed at Bidhuri's act.

Venkaiah Naidu said: "The government does not approve of the conduct of our member today. It has become a habit for some of the members to come to the well of the House. In this case, the Member will offer an apology to the House.”